Abstract:
A removable modular flangeless security post system comprising a unitary bilaterally opposed thread embedment anchor device and an elongated security post member. The post member comprises a recessed attachment plate, wherein the plate is internally disposed a predetermined distance from one end of the post member for providing removable attachment of the post member to the threaded anchor device, whereby operational union of the post member with the embedment anchor device provides flangeless engagement with an installation surface. A method for installing a removable modular flangeless security post system comprising drilling a cavity, installing an embedment into the cavity, installing an elongated security post assembly and torquing the elongated security post assembly onto the embedment device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention relates generally to a barrier post or the like for providing force-applied protection to a device or area, and more particularly, to removable barrier posts having flangeless post arrangement attachment with a surface.  
         [0005]     Throughout various private and commercial settings such as, but not limited to, storefronts, business interiors and loading dock zones can be one of the busiest and most important areas associated with plants, retail outlets and warehousing facilities. Subjected to heavy, continuous traffic, these high traffic zones are vital to the smooth and efficient flow of raw materials, shopping carts, automobiles, pedestrians and light to heavy moving equipment just to name a few.  
         [0006]     Careful planning and design of such high traffic, high use areas, along with proper selection of equipment, can result in improved working conditions, as well as increased safety and cost savings to the business owner. While numerous factors contribute to their successful planning, the use of various barrier devices, bumpers or rails has been vital in maintaining the safety for workers, consumers and equipment in these areas and zones.  
         [0007]     However, when prior barrier devices have been implemented to provide proper protection to people and business assets, occasional random damage is inflicted on the barrier requiring complete removal and replacement of the entire barrier and its associated attachment mechanisms. In such situations, most common prior barrier devices use a flange attachment to join the upright post structure to the desired surface. This type of flange attachment requires numerous holes to be drilled into hard surface structures for attachment thereto and also requires the use of numerous fastener devices to effectuate the secured attachment of the flange to the upright post. The previous methods and devices were costly and time-consuming because often times it could also involve digging holes, placing the posts and then backfilling.  
         [0008]     Therefore, there is a need to provide a removable modular flangeless security post system, apparatus and method for installing/removing the same having the ability to quickly and easily interchange the upright security post without the need to remove its partially embedded surface mounting post attachment means.  
         [0009]     In addition, there is a need to provide a removable modular flangeless security post system and apparatus that can accommodate a plurality of sizes, lengths and shapes of upright security posts used for attachment to the partially embedded surface mounting post attachment means.  
         [0010]     There is further a need to provide an embedment device wherein the embedment device permits quick, sturdy, resilient and removable securement of the embedment device into a plurality of foundational surfaces for attachment to a security post.  
         [0011]     A need also exists to provide a removable modular flangeless security post system, apparatus and method that is simple and inexpensive to construct and that permits easy installation/removal.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0012]     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
         [0013]     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0014]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0015]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a removably modular flangeless security post system, apparatus and method for installing/removing the same having the ability to quickly and easily interchange the upright post without the need to remove its partially embedded surface mounting post attachment assembly.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removably modular flangeless security post system and apparatus that has the ability to accommodate a plurality of sizes, lengths and shapes of upright security posts used for attachment to a surface mounting attachment assembly.  
         [0017]     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an removably embedment anchoring assembly wherein the embedment assembly permits quick, sturdy, resilient securement of the embedment assembly into a plurality of substrate foundational surfaces.  
         [0018]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a removably modular flangeless security post system, apparatus and method that is simple and inexpensive to construct and that permits easy installation/removal.  
         [0019]     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0020]     It should be understood that any one of the features of the invention may be used separately or in combination with other features. It should be understood that features which have not been mentioned herein may be used in combination with one or more of the features mentioned herein. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.  
         [0021]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in connection with the following, detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which description is presented in conjunction with annexed drawings below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown herein. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0023]     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts. For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective cutaway view of a removable modular flangeless security post system with an embedment anchor assembly according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  depicts a cutaway view of an installed removable modular flangeless security post system with the security post removably and engagably installed with the embedment anchor assembly according to the present invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts a method flow chart depicting a method for installing the removable modular flangeless security post system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those detailed below without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.  
         [0028]     Referring now to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 1 , a perspective cutaway view of a removable modular flangeless security post system  10  comprising an embedment anchor assembly  20  for removable attachment thereto a removable flangeless security post assembly  30  is depicted in accordance with the present invention, each being described in detail hereinbelow.  
         [0029]     As shown in reference to  FIG. 1 , the removable modular flangeless security post system  10  of the present invention comprises a plurality of modular components comprising at least a removable flangeless security post assembly  30  having an elongated security post member  32 . The elongated security post member  32  as depicted is generally cylindrical in shape and has a generally circular cross-section. However, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the present invention&#39;s elongated security post member  32  is not limited to cylindrical shapes having circular cross-sections. Specifically, the elongated security post member  32  can be constructed in a plurality of shapes/geometric shapes and cross-sections such as, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, spherical, square and round without departing from the scope, spirit and operation of the present invention. Depending upon the desired shape of the finished elongated security post member  32 , the elongated security post member  32  may be constructed from several pieces of desired material to form the final shape thereof. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the strongest and most resilient method of joining the chosen materials together in the present invention is by a welding a sufficient weld bead depth and width at the junctures of the various materials used to construct the system  10 .  
         [0030]     The elongated security post member  32  can be constructed from a plurality of materials such as, but not limited to, ¼ inch thick stainless steel material, and/or ¼ inch thick steel material as generally referenced and shown in the Figures as reference numeral  33 . The elongated security post member  32  of the present embodiment can be also be constructed in a plurality of overall length/height ranges  35  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). Specifically, one such example is a length/height range  35  of about 32 inches to 36 inches in length/height. However, the cylindrical elongated security post member  32  can also be constructed in much shorter or much longer lengths/heights  35  without limitation.  
         [0031]     Although not shown in  FIG. 1  (see  FIG. 2 ), the elongated security post member  32  can be constructed with a distal end opposite of the point of attachment to a surface (explained below) having a generally dome-shaped type top  29 . However, the elongated security post member  32  can be constructed with the distal end having a generally flat-cap type top (not shown).  
         [0032]     According to the present invention, the elongated security post member  32  shown in  FIG. 1  has a general diameter of about 3 inches when constructed from the stainless steel material. On the other hand, when constructing the elongated security post member  32  from steel, the general diameter of the elongated security post member  32  is about 4 inches. However, one skilled in the art will readily understand that the cylindrical elongated security post member  32  can be constructed in a plurality of diameters without departing from the scope, spirit and operation of the present invention.  
         [0033]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the removable flangeless security post assembly  30  further comprises a post securement plate  40  that is securely welded to the inner diameter walls of the elongated security post member  32  at a height (indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as “h”) of about 1¼ inches—1⅝ from the installation end  31  of the elongated security post member  32  during the construction phase. The securement plate  40  is cut by common methods from a stainless steel or steel material to snuggly fit, prior to permanent weld securement, in a generally horizontal configuration within the elongated security post member  32  inner diameter walls. Once the securement plate  40  is cut from the material, a predetermined aperture (not depicted in the Figures) is drilled in the general center of the post securement plate  40  that will sufficiently permit a fastener, such as a bolt, to be introduced through the aperture without interference therewith, as the specific operation will be further detailed hereinbelow.  
         [0034]     With further reference to  FIG. 1 , after the aperture is drilled, a predetermined size of threaded fastener such as, but not limited to, a hex head tap  50  is positioned over the aperture in the post securement plate  40  such that the threaded bore  51  of the hex head tap  50  is aligned with the drilled aperture in the post securement plate  40 . The size and thread of the hex head tap  50  is functionally dependent upon the size and thread of an elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  (discussed in detail below) that is selected, wherein the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  is a component of the embedment anchor assembly  20  mentioned above and specifically detailed hereinbelow.  
         [0035]     Once the proper aperture and hex head tap  50  bore alignment is achieved, the hex head tap  50  is tacked to the post securement plate  40  using a Mig welder, or other similar device. After Mig weld tacking the hex head tap  50  to the post securement plate  40  a stick welder, of the kind commonly found, is used to permanently weld a  7018  stick weld bead  55  around the circumference of the juncture of the hex head tap  50  and the post securement plate  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  further illustrates the design of the embedment anchor assembly  20  mentioned above. Specifically, the embedment anchor assembly  20  comprises a threaded anchor bolt  110  and the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  (mentioned above). The threaded anchor bolt  110  of the present embodiment is of the type of heavy duty screw anchors for concrete and masonry. More specifically, the threaded anchor bolt  110  comprises a hex-washer head  100  bolt having cutting threads  120  disposed thereon the circumference about a majority portion of the shaft  112  of the threaded anchor bolt  110 . The threaded anchor bolt  110  used with an embodiment of the present invention is of the type commercially available from Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems in Dublin, Calif. such as, but not limited to, the Titen HD® heavy duty screw anchor for concrete and masonry. The Titen HD® heavy duty hex-washer head anchor bolt is removable and has self-undercutting serrated teeth that make it particularly ideal for use with the embedment anchor assembly  20  due to its ability to create a strong grip over the longitudinal length of the shaft  112  of the threaded anchor bolt  110  of the present invention. Furthermore, the Titen HD® permits installation into selected substrate surfaces, such as concrete  15 , with less required rotative torque than many available screw anchor devices.  
         [0037]     The size of the threaded anchor bolt  110  used with the embedment anchor assembly  20  is dependent upon the length/height  35  and selected diameter for the elongated security post member  32 . For example, in one embodiment of the embedment anchor assembly  20 , a ⅝ inch×4 inch threaded anchor bolt  110  having a hex-washer head  100  thickness of ½ inch is utilized in conjunction with a 3 inch diameter or smaller elongated security post member  32  wherein the elongated security post member  32  is made from stainless steel. Another example, in a second embodiment of the embedment anchor assembly  20 , a ¾ inch×5 inch threaded anchor bolt  110  having a hex-washer head  100  thickness of ½ inch is utilized in conjunction with a 4 inch diameter or larger elongated security post member  32  wherein the elongated security post member  32  is made from steel. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that any combination of sizes of threaded anchor bolts  110  and head thickness  100  can be utilized with a plurality of lengths/heights and diameters of elongated security post members  32  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0038]     In further reference to  FIG. 1 , the embedment anchor assembly  20  further comprises an elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  comprising a plurality of common machine threads  70  disposed in common fashion as in well-known in the art. Similar to the size of threaded anchor bolt  110  utilized with the embedment anchor assembly  20 , the size of the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  used with the embedment anchor assembly  20  is similarly also dependent upon the length/height  35  and selected diameter for the elongated security post member  32 . For example, in one embodiment of the embedment anchor assembly  20 , a ¾ inch×1¼ inch threaded elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  having a hex head  90  thickness of 7/16 inch is utilized in conjunction with a 3 inch diameter or smaller elongated security post member  32  wherein the elongated security post member  32  is made from stainless steel. Another example, in a second embodiment of the embedment anchor assembly  20 , a ⅞ inch×1¼ inch threaded elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  having a hex head  90  thickness of ½ inch is utilized in conjunction with a 4 inch diameter or larger elongated security post member  32  wherein the elongated security post member  32  is made from steel. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that any combination of sizes of elongated security post member post securement bolts  60  and hex head  90  thicknesses can be utilized with a plurality of lengths/heights and diameters of elongated security post members  32  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0039]     The elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  is conjoined by welding in a “hex head down,” “shaft-up” configuration and onto the flat surface of the ½ inch thick hex-washer head  100  of the threaded anchor bolt  110 . The same process and steps, described above, used for tacking and welding of the hex head tap  50  to the post securement plate  40  is also utilized to fixedly and permanently secure together the hex head  90  and hex-washer head  100  of both the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  and the threaded anchor bolt  110 , respectively. The elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  and the threaded anchor bolt  110  conjoining weld bead  80  should be sufficient in depth and width to permanently secure the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  and the threaded anchor bolt  110  together in the configuration described herein and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0040]     Now turning specifically to  FIG. 2 , a cutaway view of an installed removable modular flangeless security post system  10  with the removable flangeless security post assembly  30  removably and engagably installed with the embedment anchor assembly  20  according to the present invention is depicted. As shown with reference to  FIG. 2 , the embedment anchor assembly  20  is removably installed/screwed (as will be further described in installation detail below) with at least the shaft  112  portion of the threaded anchor bolt  110  of the embedment anchor assembly  20  being disposed into and below a generally horizontal installation surface substrate such as, but not limited to, concrete  15  and/or masonry (not shown) such that the washer portion  113  of the hex-washer head  100  is sufficiently tight with the concrete  15 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the installation of the embedment anchor assembly  20  can be accomplished by installing the embedment anchor assembly  20  into a plurality of sufficiently supportable surfaces without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0041]     After installation of the embedment anchor assembly  20 , the remaining substantially exposed (above surface) portion of the embedment anchor assembly  20  will generally be from the washer portion  113  of the hex-washer head  100  of the threaded anchor bolt  110  to the distal end (upright end opposite of the welded conjoined portions described above) of the “shaft-up” configuration of the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60 .  
         [0042]     Upon secured installation of the embedment anchor assembly  20  into the desired surface substrate, the hex head  50  fastener securely disposed by weld bead  55  onto the post securement plate  40  which is disposed within the removable flangeless security post assembly  30  at a “h”, as described above, is rotatably screwed down, as indicated by the arrows  25  in  FIG. 2 , onto the common machine threads  70  along the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  in a direction (generally a clockwise direction as looking down onto a properly installed embedment anchor assembly  20 ) for removably securing the flangeless security post assembly  30  to the embedment anchor assembly  20 . More specifically, the flangeless security post assembly  30  is tightened so as to cause the surface contact end  130  of the ¼ inch thick material walls  33  to securely engage the surface of the concrete  15  or other installation surface substrate, thereby as a result providing complete protective cover over the entire embedment anchor assembly  20  which is secured into the concrete  15  or the like.  
         [0043]     With reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  in combination a method for installing the removable flangeless security post system  10  will be described.  FIG. 3  specifically depicts a flow chart of one embodiment of the method steps for installing the flangeless security post system  10  of the present invention as described above. Although  FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment, one skilled in the art will understand that many methods for installation can be utilized that incorporate at least one or all of the steps outlined herein.  
         [0044]     In relation to  FIG. 3 , step  200 , a hammer drill or similar device utilizing a concrete/masonry drill bit is utilized to drill an embedment anchor assembly  20  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) cavity to a predetermined diameter and depth into an installation substrate surface such as, but not limited to concrete  15  or masonry (not shown in the Figures). The size diameter and depth of the cavity is determined by the diameter and length of the threaded anchor bolt  110  (as described above) to be utilized. Specifically, a ⅝ inch×4 (or smaller/larger) or ¾ inch×5 (or smaller/larger) cavity is drilled to accommodate at least the specific size of threaded anchor bolt  110  to be used as described above.  
         [0045]     In step  210 , the embedment anchor assembly  20  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is installed into the reception cavity drilled in step  200  above. In one embodiment of the method of the present invention a deep socket impact wrench (not shown in the Figures) or similar device is utilized to screw the embedment anchor assembly  20  into the concrete  15  or other installation surface substrate. The deep socket impact wrench is inserted over the hex washer head  100  of the threaded anchor bolt  110  to contact and mate with, as is common in the art, to enable a torque driving force to be applied by the deep socket impact wrench to cause the cutting threads  120  of the threaded anchor bolt  110  to sufficiently cut into the circumferentially drilled walls of the cavity drilled in step  200  above. Upon completion of torque driving the embedment anchor assembly  20  into the concrete  15 , or the like, the cutting threads  120  of the threaded anchor bolt  110  will have created a secure engagement of the threaded anchor bolt  110  and the circumferentially drilled walls of the cavity to ensure a secure but removable engagement thereof.  
         [0046]     In step  220 , the flangeless security post assembly  30  is rotatably hand installed down and onto the common machine threads  70  which are disposed on the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  of the embedment anchor assembly  20 . The flangeless security post assembly  30  is sufficiently tightened to a point that will permit the elongated security post member  32  to stand upright alone prior to the direct accomplishment of step  230  below.  
         [0047]     In further reference to  FIG. 3 , in step  230 , the removable flangeless security post assembly  30  is rotatably torque tightened down and along the common machine threads  70  disposed on the elongated security post member post securement bolt  60  of the embedment anchor assembly  20 . In one embodiment of the method of the present invention a common oil filter wrench is modified with an extended length adjustable strap having sufficient length, gripping and integrity characteristics to allow a sufficient amount of rotational torque to be applied to the flangeless security post assembly  30  to sufficiently tighten the elongated security post member  32  onto the embedment anchor assembly  20  and into secured contact with the concrete  15  as shown and described herein.  
         [0048]     After completion of installation as described above, the removable modular flangeless security post system  10  according to the present invention is capable of providing inexpensive construction and easy installation for removable protection to device(s) or area(s) without the use of a surface flange attachment device and upright post arrangement.  
         [0049]     If desired, the flangeless security post assembly  30  can be easily removed by using the modified oil filter wrench having an extended length adjustable strap to unscrew the flangeless security post assembly  30  from the embedment anchor assembly  20  for exchange or repair of either assembly as desired.  
         [0050]     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
         [0051]     In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments as may be desired. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning particular chemical reactions, chemical properties, and the like, have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.  
         [0052]     It is therefore, contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.