Abstract:
A socket mounted post system including a post with a hollow base portion attached to a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism includes a pillar, the pillar having a finger extending from the hollow base portion. The finger is engageable with a socket that is mountable in a floor. The spring mechanism allows the post to flex angularly relative to a vertical orientation of the post.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a socket mounted post system. More specifically, the present invention is a crowd control stanchion including a spring mechanism and a miniature socket mounted post that provides for easy installation in a floor with minimal impact to the surface of the floors. The post could alternatively be used in connection with panels, railings, signage, bollards or other types of posts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A stanchion is a sturdy upright post that provides support for belt, rope, chain or cord that is often used for crowd control or engineering the flow of people. A stanchion system utilizes the upright post which may include a rope support at the top of the post; or, alternatively, it may include a retractable belt. The ropes, chains or retractable belts may be linked together at the stanchions to form a crowd control or crowd flow system. These crowd flow systems are called a queue or a maze. The stanchions are often not intended to be a permanent fixture, so that the post may be expediently implemented or removed, as desired. The stanchion and rope system are typically implemented to form a queue or maze for people to move through. 
         [0003]    Typically, the post of a stanchion is typically mounted on a weighted base. There are several problems with a post that is mounted on a weighted base. First, the base often protrudes into the area of the queue or maze in which people walk—often times causing people to trip on the base. Second, the weighted base is movable. If bumped, the base along with the ropes or belts will move causing the queue to become misaligned. Movement of the post interferes with the movement of traffic through the queue. Third, the base takes up valuable floor space and often interferes with movement of carts or language through the queue. The standard base for a stanchion post has a footprint of almost one square foot which is not desirable in space—constrained areas. When several stanchions are employed, the amount of floor space dedicated to the numerous bases becomes quite significant. Fourth, the base is not aesthetically pleasing and may be considered unacceptable given the aesthetic desire of customers. The design of the weighed bases may not be preferred by the owner of the venue implementing the queue. Fifth, the post, along with the base, may be knocked over because the base is not securely mounted to the floor. Finally, since the base and post are not secured to the floor, the base and post may be picked up by a patron and used as a weapon. This is undesirable in any public forum. A typical prior art weighted base stanchion is shown in  FIGS. 1( a ) and 1( b ) . 
         [0004]    Alternatively, the post of the stanchion may be easily removablely mounted into the floor of the facility implementing the queue or maze. The floor mounted posts are commonly implemented in applications where the flow of traffic is steady or constant or where portability of the stanchions becomes impractical. The floor mounted solution is not without its own set of problems. For example, the stanchion posts must be mounted into holes in the floor of the venue which are either pre-formed or drilled into the floor after construction. The floor mounted system is not flexible or moveable. The posts can only be positioned within the pre-formed holes within a venue. Worse, the hole depth must be 6 inches or more in order to accommodate the post; and the diameter of the hole is typically 2 to 3 inches or more. The posts are also easily removable and can be used as a weapon by a customer standing in the queue. Finally, in the floor mounted system, the posts are not flexible. The post does not absorb any impact should a person run into a post, or if a piece of luggage or cart is run into a post. Another problem with the easily removeable stanchion post is that when the post is removed, there is a 3 inch diameter by 6 inch deep hole left in the floor. 
         [0005]    What is desired, therefore, is a post which may be semi-permanently mounted within the floor of a venue without having to install the standard 3 inch by 6 inch hole deep into the floor. There is also a need for a flexible mounting system between the post and the floor which permits the post to absorb impact to the post. It is, thus, desirable to have a semi-permanent post that has minimal impact on the existing flooring of a venue. Providing a post that is easy to install and that has the ability to flex once installed into the floor is highly desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a post that does not have a weighted base which provides a cleaner aesthetic and further provides maximum floor space. 
         [0007]    A further object of the invention is to eliminate a weighted base from the post to prevent luggage from rolling over the base and moving the post from its desired position. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a semi-permanent securing mechanism to affix the post to the ground which prevents the post from shifting or moving from its desired position in securing the queue or maze and thus causing disorder in the queue lines. 
         [0009]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention is to implement a threaded member in the post such that the threaded member engages with threads with the floor to prevent unwanted removal of the post, yet are easily removable for cleaning, re-routing or other reasons for moving the post. 
         [0010]    An object of the present invention provides for a spring mechanism that is attached to or included as part of the post to permit the post to move from its vertical position when the post is secured to the mount in the floor. The movement may be any amount, but in situations where there may be an abundance of people, the post may move from the vertical position. The flexibility of the spring mechanism absorbs any impact forces impaired upon the post which can cause an anchor or threaded member to fail. 
         [0011]    A further object of the present invention is the use of two interfering tabs which allow for approximately 350 degree adjustment, yet ensure the tension in the spring and securement into the socket to remain intact. This is important for queue posts because the belts must align in some undetermined direction for each layout. The belts may be aligned upon installation of the post, and may be easily rotated to change the configuration of the queue. 
         [0012]    Since there is expected movement in the post from the flex and rotational adjustment the edge of the metal posts can cause damage to floors over time. With the addition of a thick nylon wear disc or other protective cap, the floor is protected and all friction from the movement is removed allowing for a softer and smoother functioning unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1( a ) and 1( b )  are perspective views of the prior art stanchions; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stanchion system of the present invention implemented to form a queue; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3( a )  is a side view of the spring loaded post mounted in the socket in the flooring; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3( b )  is a side view of the spring loaded post mounted in the socket in the floor at a 10° tilt; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4( a )  is a perspective view of the floor socket; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4( b )  is a cross-section of the floor socket; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the spring loaded base assembly of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6( a )  is a cross section view of a spring loaded base assembly of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6( b )  is a bottom view of a spring loaded base assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7( a )  is a perspective view of an alternative mini socket with a flange and cap; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7( b )  is a cross-section of an alternative floor socket with a flange and cap having a threaded groove. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1( a ) and 1( b )  depict the prior art stanchion post designs. In  FIG. 1( a ) , a prior art stanchion post  10  has a top portion  12  that may include a retractable belt  34  or alternatively a standard velvet rope with hook (not shown) or a sign (not shown). The post  14  is typically of cylindrical shape, but could be any shape. The bottom portion of the post  14  includes an insert portion  50  that is approximately 3 inches in diameter and 6 inches in depth. The insert portion  50  is placed into a hole  60  in the floor  20  that is approximately 3 inches in diameter and 6 inches deep. The removable base requires a workable area of 3 inch diameter by 6 inch deep floor. The large hole poses a problem in airports or other large venues since those venues typically have thin decking that contains reinforcing members, electrical conduit, and plumbing on other items running below the surface of the floor. If the removeably mounted post option is even feasible after initial construction, contractors must carefully x-ray the floor to determine what structural supports or utilities may be located in the floor. Often the posts must be re-adjusted accordingly to the location of the utilities. If the sockets are set in the floor during initial construction, the configuration of the queue must be known at the time of construction. It is very difficult to change the configuration of the queue, once the socket is permanently mounted in the flooring. 
         [0025]    The larger sockets have at least a 3 inch diameter raised flange which is unsightly and becomes a potential tripping hazard. Often times building owners will want the holes for the stanchions to be removed and the floors repaired, thus, adding more cost to the system. 
         [0026]    The prior art stanchion  10  has no method of securing the insert portion  50  of the post  14  to the hole  60 . There is a simple slip-fit of the insert portion  50  into the top  62  of the floor hole  60 . The posts can easily be removed by unauthorized individuals. There have been times where posts have been used as weapons. The prior art systems are more prone to that risk. A cap  64  may be placed in the top  62  of the hole  60 . 
         [0027]    A second prior art embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1( b ) . The prior art stanchion  10  is shown with a removable, weighted base  22  that was positioned on the floor  20 . The top  12  of the post  14  may have a retractable belt member  30  that houses a retractable belt  34 . The retractable belt member  30  is typically mounted at the top portion  12  of the stanchion  10  or may be inserted within the top portion  12  of the post  14 . The retractable belt member  30  has a retractable belt  34  which includes a coupling  33 . The retractable belt member  30  also has a receiving coupling  32  that mates with a coupling  33  of the retractable belt  34 . A problem with the prior art stanchion  10  of  FIG. 1( b )  is that the weighted base  22  may move on the floor  20 . Additionally, customers may trip on the weighted based  22  of the stanchion  10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts the flexible stanchion  110  of the present invention forming a queue or a maze. The flexible stanchions  110  are mounted in the floor  120  at a predetermined distance from one another. The top  112  of the stanchion includes a retractable belt member  130 . The retractable belt member  130  may have a retractable belt  134  that is 10 feet, 15 feet or 30 feet in length depending on the application. The coupling  32  of the retractable  34  may be coupled to the coupling  32  located on the retractable belt member  130 . The retractable belts  134  are connected in such a fashion to form a queue. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3( a ) and 3( b )  depict the flexible stanchion  110  of the present invention. The flexible stanchion  110  includes a post  114  with a top portion  112  and bottom portion  116 . On the top portion  112  of the post  114  may include a retractable belt cap  130 . The retractable belt cap  130  includes at least one belt  134  which is used to form a queue line. The belt  134  may be retractable into the belt cap  130 . The belt  130  further has a coupling  133  at one end. The coupling of the belt  133  may be affixed to a receptacle portion  132  (or coupling) of the top portion  130  of a flexible stanchion  110 . The retractable belt cap  130  is sold under the Retracta Belt® trade name. While the preferred embodiment may include a retractable belt, other types of features may be mounted to the post  114 . For example, the post  114  could accommodate a standard velvet rope and classic latch mechanism. The post  114  could also accommodate either sign frame or engraved color sign, alone or in combination with the retractable belt cap  130 . The system of the invention may be used for any post system such as sign posts, TV stands, airports mount TV&#39;s to show flight information, railing systems, panel systems, banner systems, any type of barrier. The description in the preferred embodiment focuses on stanchion posts. However, it is important to recognize that, while the detailed description focuses on stanchion posts, the invention may apply to any type of post. 
         [0030]    The lower portion of the post  114  includes a spring assembly  300  and base cap  140 . The spring assembly is described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The base cap  140  can be made of any rigid or semi-rigid material, but preferably is manufactured from a nylon disk. The nylon disk prevents the post from scratching the floor  120  upon installation. The base cap  140  could also include some type of non-scratch surface coating to prevent the disc from marking the floor  120 . 
         [0031]    The flexible stanchion  110  may be mounted in a wide range of floor  120  materials. As shown in  FIG. 3( b ) , the flexible stanchion  110  includes a pillar  150  that protrudes from the base cap  140 . The pillar  150  is inserted into a socket  160  installed in the floor  120 . The pillar  150  will be described in more detail later. Referring now to  FIG. 3( b ) , the pillar  150  is part of a spring mechanism  300  that permits the post  110  to move a predetermined amount form its vertical position  180  in order to absorb accidental impact caused by pedestrians or luggage. The preferred angular travel  190  of the post  114  from its vertical position is no more than 10 degrees from the vertical position  180 . It must be noted that the degree of travel  170  of the post  114  is not necessarily limited to 10 degrees from the vertical position. The degree of travel could, for example, be up to 90 degrees from the vertical position  180  such that the post  114  is essentially parallel with the floor  120 . The reason it may be advantageous for the post  114  to travel only 10 degrees from is to prevent accidental rebound of the post  114  to the vertical position  180 . The flexibility in the post  114  prevents the accidental fracture of the flexible pillar  150  from spring mechanism of the post  114 . 
         [0032]    The post  114  is typically between 40 inches to 72 inches in height. Because of the height of the post  114 , accidental contact with the flexible stanchion  110 , may cause exceedingly high torsion force to be placed on the pillar  150 . The pillar  150  has a smaller diameter than the post  114 . As such, the torsional force placed upon the pillar  150  can overcome the shear strength of the pillar  150  material causing the pillar  150  to structurally fail. In some instances, any more than 10 degrees of travel may cause the post  114  to snap back to the vertical position  170  and injure a person. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b )  depict an embodiment of the floor socket  200  of the present invention. In  FIG. 4( a ) , the floor socket  200  generally is a cylindrical shaped insert having an outer wall  202  and an inner wall  204 . The floor socket  200  is typically made of a stainless steel but could be made of any suitable material including brass, steel and possibly rubber, PVC or HDPE. The preferred size of the floor socket is ⅞ inch in diameter by 1⅞ inch depth. The outer wall  202  of the floor socket  200  may have a diamond knurl  205  design. Alternatively, the floor socket  200  may have a beveled design in the outer wall  202 . The purpose of having a design in the outer wall  202  of the floor socket  200  is to permit a frictional fit between the socket  200  and the cavity drilled into floor  120  to receive the socket  200 . Alternatively, the diamond kurl  205  and beveled design permit a better bond between the socket  200  and the cavity  170  if an adhesive is used. 
         [0034]    The socket  200  may be up to 4 inches in depth. The benefit of having a socket approximately 2 inches to 4 inches in depth is that there is less chance of contacting decking rebars, electrical supply lines, plumbing or other utilities running below the surface of the floor. The floor socket  200  is typically installed into a preexisting floor  120 . A hole is drilled into the pre-existing floor that is slightly larger size of the floor socket  200 . In an alternative embodiment, the floor socket  200  may be coated with an adhesive and inserted into the hole in the floor such that the top surface of the socket  200  is flush with the surface of the floor  120 . The installation may take as little as 10 minutes per hole, whereas the installation of the standard removable base designs of the prior art would take more than 60 minutes per hole to install. Installation of the socket includes the following steps:
       Lay out socket locations, spacing the centerlines at least 6″ less than belt length (ex: 9′6″ or less with 10′ belt);   Drill ¾″ hole  170  approximately 2″ deep. A core drill mounted in a stand gives the straightest hole and the cleanest edges for a flush mount socket;   Clean out and dry hole  170 ;   Inject epoxy into bottom and sides of hole  170 ;   Insert socket  200  flush with floor (tap with hammer if required); and   Wait for epoxy to cure before installing posts  110 .
 
Alternatively, socket  200  designs may include:
   1) Tapered drive pin which would flare out the bottom of the socket  200  when hammered into a hole in the floor;   2) Threaded screw that drives into a tapered hole, thus spreading the bottom of the socket; and   3) Outside slip collar.       
 
         [0044]    Often queue layouts may change over time. Additionally, a vendor may prefer to have more than one queue design installed in an existing space. The smaller diameter hole is less intrusive in those scenarios where the queue layouts may change. Even after the installation of the floor socket is complete, it is still easy to modify a layout. The ⅞ inch socket  200  mounts nearly flush to the ground. The socket  200  may include threads  208  to receive either a pillar  150  that has corresponding threads or a socket cap ( FIG. 7( a ) ). The socket  200  does not have to incorporate threads  208  on the interior wall. The floor socket  200  may have a threaded  208  inside wall to receive a thread bolt on the interior wall of the floor socket  200 . The floor socket  200  is unobtrusive and can be left in the ground without further floor repairs. The larger sockets have a 3 inch diameter raised flange which is unsightly and becomes a potential tripping hazard. Often times, building owners will want these to be removed and the floors repaired, adding more cost to the system. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 5 and 6  shows the spring-loaded assembly  300  of the preferred embodiment of invention. The spring-loaded assembly  300  may be positioned within the hollow post  114  of the stanchion  110  described in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Alternatively, it may be attached to the bottom of the post  114  as an attachment to preexisting post. The preferred embodiment of spring-loaded assembly  300  comprises a hex bolt  302  having threads  303  that supports one or more washers  304 . The fully hex bolt  302  has a hexagonal head  301 . The fully hex bolt  302  is preferably a ⅝-11×3½ inch threaded bolt. The spring-loaded assembly  300  may include a hollow tube  306  positioned below the 2 inch steel washers  304  on the threads  303  of the hex bolt  302 , but it is not necessary. The tubing  306  made of polyethylene but could be made out of any suitable material, such as metal, rubber or the like. Situated outside the tubing  306  is a spring  308 . The spring  308  is preferably a compression spring (0.195 wire, 1.5 freeL, 0.945 solid L). The compression may be preloaded 5.5 turns to a set height of 1.0 inches  309 . The compression spring  308  is a helical spring member in the preferred embodiment. While a helical spring is described here, there are other types of springs that may be used with this invention. For example, the spring  308  could alternatively be a tension spring, a leaf spring, or torsional spring that creates a tension on the hex bolt  302  to provide angular movement of the post  314  from the vertical position  180 . The important feature of the spring  308  is that it places sufficient tension on the post to permit the post  314  to move from the vertical position  180  but limits the range of movement of the post  314 . In the current invention, when a force is placed against the post  314 , the hex bolt  302  does not move. Instead, one side of the spring  308  is compressed while the opposing side of the spring  308  is expanded. Thus, the post  314  may move from its vertical position until either the spring  308  reaches the maximum compression force rated for a particular spring  308 , or the washers  304  contact the inside portion of the cup member  310  or the post  314 . In either event, the distance the post may move from its vertical position is limited by the spring assembly  300 . 
         [0046]    There are embodiments of the current invention that do not require a spring  308 . For example, a rubber block may be used in place of a compression spring to add flexibility to the post  114 . Also, a series of belleville washers may be utilized in place of a spring  308 . The spring may be tensioned to constrain movement of the post  114  to no more than 10 degrees from the vertical position  180 . However, the reason for a limitation of movement to no more than 10 degrees from vertical is to prevent accidental snap-back of the post. That is not a requirement of all applications. In fact, in some instances, it may be desirable that the post  114  extend to a substantially parallel position with respect to the floor. 
         [0047]    The preferred method of assembly of the spring loaded assembly  300  comprises the steps of selecting the hex bolt  302  and one or more washers onto the hex bolt  302 . Next, a washer is made of a thermoplastic material, such as delrin, is placed on the hex bolt  302 . A tube  306  surrounded by the helical spring  308  are positioned on the hex bolt  302 . A second thermoplastic washer  390  is placed on the hex bolt  302  as the hex bolt  302  is inserted through a hole  341  in the disc member  340 . 
         [0048]    A nylon lock nut  320  has a pin, tab or set screw  322 . The nylon lock nut  320  is tightened until the spring  308  becomes loaded. In the preferred embodiment, a force is applied to the spring  308  by the nylon lock nut  320  at which time the lock nut  320  is turned 5½ turns. At this point, the disc  340  is installed on the shaft  301  such that approximately two to four inches of the hex bolt  302  extends beyond the disc  340 . The cup member  310  is mounted to the bottom portion of the post  314 . Alternatively, the cup member  310  could be inserted inside a hollow end of the bottom portion  316  of the post  314  and secured to the post  314 . Finally, the cup member  310  could be eliminated completely, and the spring would be affixed to the inside wall of the post  314 . 
         [0049]    The spring-loaded assembly  300  includes a cup member  310 . The cup member  310  is a cylindrical hollow H-cup having a flange  312  including a centered hole  311  to receive the threaded hex bolt  302 . The flange  312  receives at least a portion of the threaded hex bolt  302 , the washers  304  and the compression spring  308 . The flange  312  of the cup member  310  has a hole  314  to receive a space screw  316 . Alternatively, the flange  312  could be fixed directly to the inside wall of the post  314 . 
         [0050]    Positioned below the flange portion  312  of the cup member  310  and adjustably affixed to the hex bolt  302  is a nylon lock nut  320 . The nylon lock nut  320  includes a hole for receiving a space screw  322  with lock washers. The set screw  322  may be tightened to secure the nylon lock nut  320  to the threaded hex bolt  302 . The set screw  322  in the locknut  320  and the set screw  324  in the flange  312  provide for a 350 degree rotation of the post  314  upon installation of the post into the floor  340 . The set screws  322  and  324  are positioned such that the two set screws  322  and  324  interfere with the rotational movement of the post  314  and hex bolt  302  upon installation of the post  314 . As the finger portion  350  is threaded into the threads  208  of the socket  200 , the friction between the threads on the finger portion  350  and the threads  208  of the socket  200  cause the hex bolt  302  to rotate with the set screw  322  until the set screw  322  contacts the second set screw  324 . The contact between the set screws  316  and  322  causes the hex bolt  302  to rotate with the post  314 , such that the finger  350  is threaded into the socket  200 . Once the disc  340  contacts the floor  340 , the post  314  will cease rotation due to contact between the set screws  322  and  324 . Rotation of the post  314  can then be reversed to back out from the pillar socket  200  up to a 350 degree rotation at which point the set screws  322  and  324  again contact each other. The 350 degree of rotation is important because it permits the cap  130  of the post  110  to be aligned with the cap  130  of another post. The coupling  132  of one post  110  may be aligned with coupling  133  and retractable belt  131  of a second post  110  to form a queue as shown in  FIG. 2 . While the preferred embodiment uses set screws  324  and  322 ; tab, pins, notches or the like could be used in place of the set screws  322  and  324 . 
         [0051]    There is a base disc  340  that has a hole with threads  341 . The disc  340  is threaded onto the threads  303  of the hex bolt. The base cap  340  serves two purposes: (1) it prevents the cup member  310  and post  314  from scratching the floor  120  and (2) it protects the inner elements of the spring-loaded assembly  300 . There is a portion of the bottom of the threaded hex bolt  302  that extends beyond the disc  340 . The finger  350  may be threaded  330  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Alternatively, the finger  350  may not have threads. The threaded portion of the finger  350  mate with the threaded inside portion  208  of the socket  200  such that the finger  350  may be securely fastened  350  to the socket  200  by rotating the post  114  such that the bottom disc  341  meets the floor  120 . 
         [0052]    The spring-loaded assembly  300  permits the post  314  to lean approximately  10  from the vertical position  180 . The spring-loaded assembly  300  permits movement of the post  314  in order to absorb impact from contact with the post  314  from carts, or the like, which would impact the force onto the finger  350  engaged with the socket  160 . The post  110  may be positioned on the floor  120  by aligning the pillar  316  with the opening  220  of the socket  200 . The pillar  316  is inserted into the opening  220  of the socket  200  and adjusted to a vertical position  180 . If the pillar  316  is threaded, the pillar  316  is aligned with the threads  208  of the socket  200 . The post  314  is rotated such that the threads of the pillar  316  engage the threads  208  of the socket  200 . The post  314  is rotated until the disc  340  contacts the floor  120  and the post  314  is in a vertical position  180  at 90 degrees in relation to the plane of the floor  120 . The post  314  can be rotated an additional plus or minus 350 degrees from the point the disc  340  contacts the floor  120  to align the belts on the retractable member  130  or to change the queue configuration. To remove the stanchion from the socket  200 , the post  314  is rotated until the threads of the finger  350  are disengaged from the threads of the socket  200 . 
         [0053]    If desired, a cap  490 , may be secured to the socket  400  by engaging the threads  491  of the cap  490  with the threads  408  of the socket  400  as shown in  FIGS. 7( a ) and 7( b ) . One benefit of the design of the preferred embodiment is that the cap  490  may be threaded into socket  200 . Other larger sockets just have slip fit caps which can easily be removed with no tools. The preferred embodiment requires a maintenance person to use a key (in our case an Allen key) to lock the cap  490  into place. 
         [0054]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.