AN APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS

Abstract: The apparatus (100) is a semi-cylindrical component (200) having a body defined by a wall, a top, and a base. The wall has at least one flat wall face and surrounds a hollow interior. An indentation for receiving a structural support is present in at least one flat wall face. A means (510, 520) for securing the shaped component to the structural support and for firmly seating one component at its flat wall face against the second component (300) at its flat wall face when two components are present. Preferably, each component has a plurality of impact absorbing indentations, each having an aperture, a base and a wall extending from the base to an aperture mouth. These indentations function to re-distribute the energy of impact when a collusion occurs between the apparatus and a moving object. Preferably, each component is formed by rotational molding from a plastic resin.

Description: An Apparatus for Protecting Structural Supports FIELD OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for protecting structural columns and supports from damage resulting from impact from a moving vehicle while preventing or reducing damage to that vehicle and its driver is provided. The inventive apparatus finds use in aquatic and in industrial settings such as in a warehouse where loaders and tow motors impact structural supports or at a wharf where small boats are docking. The apparatus also finds use as a safety device to reduce and prevent damage to vehicles and their drivers during collisions with stationary objects such as poles, posts, and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Accidental collisions between vehicles such as cars, trucks and boats and support structures such as poles or columns occur frequently. When vehicles are backing, limited visibility adds to the problem of safely avoiding the structural supports. If the area is crowded with other vehicles or with materials to be moved such as in a warehouse, backing of a vehicle can be especially problematic. Accidental acceleration or poor traction due to spills or wet surfaces often also results in collisions between vehicles and structural supports such as light poles, telephone poles, traffic lights, and the like. Accidental acceleration or poor judgment on the distance between a boat and a supporting structure also occur resulting in damage. In warehouses, previous attempts to protect a structural support or a vehicle and its driver from damage suffered due to collision have tended to protect one or the other, but not both. Further, such devices have been complicated or messy to install or both. Devices which partially enclose a structural support are known. One device to protect people who collide with I-beams from the impact, is the Soft -Post™ Urethane Pad. Such a pad is substantially C- shaped and clips around the upper and lower extensions of the I beam while failing to cover the body of the I. Partial enclosure of a structural support is shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,369,925 (Vargo) , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a three quarters surround post protector which is bolted to the floor. Devices which surround a support thereby providing greater protection and re-enforcement to the support are known. For example, to protect structural supports especially those in warehouses, the structural supports have been encased in concrete or such supports have been provided by a hollow cylindrical device filled with concrete or gravel such as the Column Cushion available from Ancon Building Services Div. Goshen, IN 46526. Another example of a protective apparatus, the pieces of which are connected by a tongue and groove system, is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,386 ( enichini) , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Protective devices also are known and used in aquatic environments such as at the base of a bridge support, on the supporting structures of an oil rig in the ocean and on the posts supporting a wharf. Such devices include encasing the supporting structure in concrete as above and providing a cushioning fender such as in U.S. Patent No. 5,562,364 (Darder-Alomar), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. None of the aforementioned provides the combined properties of impact absorption, protection of the structural support, cost effectiveness in manufacturing, and ease of installation which are provided by the inventive apparatus. It is an object of this invention to provide a protective apparatus which is resilient and absorbs and redistributes impact. It is another object of the instant invention to provide a protective apparatus which is easy to install and economical to manufacture. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for protecting a structural support and absorbing impact is provided. The apparatus for protecting a structural support includes a shaped component for receiving a structural support and a means for securing the shaped component to the structural support. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of two shaped components which are mirror images of one another and a means to secure one component to the other component. Most preferably, each is a semi- cylindrical component having a top, a base, and a wall. Each top, base and wall has an exterior face, an interior face. A hollow interior is defined by the wall, top and base, thus providing a body. Each semi -cylindrical component has a flat exterior face and a rounded exterior face. An indentation for receiving a supporting structure is present at the flat exterior face and extends from the top to the base. Preferably, indentations for absorbing impact are present at the rounded exterior face. The body wall of each semi- cylindrical component has a thickness and is comprised of a plastic material which may be a vinyl, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, or a polyurethane. Preferably, the body is comprised of a UV stabilized polyethylene which is shaped by rotational molding. Each semi -cylindrical component is highly resilient, stress crack resistant, and semi-flexible. Preferably, each body of the two semi-cylindrical components has a vent hole. Advantageously, due to the flexibility of the body material, the semi- cylindrical components conform to the shape of the structural support at their respective flat faces when the two semi-cylindrical components are placed face to face and are stabilized in position by the means for securing the shaped component to the structural support, thus slippage around the support is minimized. In the preferred embodiment, at the exterior rounded face of each of the semi -cylindrical components, are a plurality of discontinuous indentations for absorbing impact. Each has an aperture mouth, an aperture base and a plurality of aperture walls extending from the aperture base to the aperture mouth. The aperture walls and aperture base are continuous with the wall of the semi- cylindrical body. The discontinuous indentations function to deflected impact energy away from the structural support. The discontinuous indentations at their respective aperture bases terminate in the hollow body interior at a distance from the interior flat face of the wall. Thus, a hollow region remains between the aperture base and the interior surface of the flat wall face to protect, cushion and redistribute the energy of the impact traveling towards the structural support. Preferably, the aperture walls form an angle at their respective aperture bases. Most preferably, each aperture base has a smaller area than that of the aperture mouth. Also present at the exterior face of the rounded wall of the body is a continuous indentation for receiving a means for securing the shaped components to the structural support. The continuous indentation is seated at approximately the same position on each of the two semi-cylindral components so that when the means for securing the shaped components to the structural supports secured at a circumference, the semi -cylindrical components are positioned on the structural support. Preferably, the means for securing the shaped components to the structural support is a belt or a strap having a hooked surface at one end and a napped surface for mating to the hooked surface at the opposite end. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of the apparatus having two semi- cylindrical components for protecting a structural support where the apparatus is held in position by a means for securing the shaped component to the structural support. Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with an I beam seated in a central position and indicates the position through which a cross-section is taken. Figure 2A shows a cross -section of the apparatus of Fig. 2. Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a longitudinal view of the flat wall face of one of the semi- cylindrical components of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the exterior rounded face of an embodiment of the instant invention wherein the structural support is round in cross -section and indicates the position through which a cross -sectional view is taken. Figure 4 A shows an cross -sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 4. Description of the Best Mode of the Invention Referring now to Figure 1 which illustrates the inventive apparatus 100 seated about an I beam structural support 10, the apparatus has a first semi -cylindrical component 200 and a second semi- cylindrical component 300 held in place by a means for securing the shaped component to the structural support. The means for securing the shaped component to the structural support illustrated is a belt or a strap having a first end and a second end. In the open position, the first end 510 and the second end 520 extend from either side of the apparatus at an indentation 130 for seating the means for securing the shaped component to the structural support. The first end is shown to have a hooked surface 530 on a first face. The second end 520 has a napped surface on a second face (not shown) . When the two ends are mated at the aforementioned faces, the hooked surface engages the napped surface, thereby making a closed loop 540. Tension is applied when mating the hooked and the napped surfaces to secure the two semi- cylindrical components at their respective exterior flat wall surfaces one to the other in position around the structural support at the indentation of receiving a structural support, generally referenced as 150. The means for securing the shaped component to the structural support is preferably made of a strong flexible material belt such as a nylon fabric and a fastener such as Velcro™. However, other materials such as leather or another type of fabric may be used and other fasteners such as buckles may be used as should be apparent to one skilled in the art. A seam, generally referenced as 400, is created between the two semi- cylindrical components when the components are mated at their respective edges. The seam is closely sealed by the means for securing the shaped component to the structural support. Preferably, air vents, generally referenced as 160, holes which extend from the interior face through to the exterior face of the rounded wall of the body are present in each semi -cylindrical component. The apparatus is preferably comprised of a UV stabilized resilient plastic. Referring now to Figure 2 which is a cross - section of Figure 1 at the point indicated, each semi -cylindrical component has a plurality of discontinuous indentations, generally referenced by the number 110; a rounded exterior wall face 170; a flat exterior wall face 180; and a hollow interior space 190. Each discontinuous indentation has an aperture mouth 115, an aperture base 111 having a variable width, and a plurality of aperture walls 112 extending from the aperture base to the aperture mouth. These discontinuous indentations function to redistribute impact energy when the apparatus is struck. An air vent 160 for venting air from the hollow interior when the apparatus is seated around a structural support and is impacted is also shown. Conversely, air returns through the air vent 160 to the hollow interior after impact when the resilient material regains its former shape. Each semi- cylindrical component may have a foot 120 at the base or the base may be directly in contact with the floor surface. Referring now to Figure 3 , one of the pair of semi -cylindrical components is illustrated in an isometric, longitudinal cross -sectional view. The semi-cylindrical component has a top surface 220 and an exterior flat wall face 210 having a substantially flat surface. The flat surface has at its center an indentation for receiving a structural support 152. At the rounded exterior face of the component 180, an indentation for receiving a means for securing the shaped component to the structural support 130; a means for securing the shaped component to the structural support 500; and a discontinuous indentation for re-distributing impact 110 can be seen. At the base of the semi- cylindrical component is an optional foot 230. Referring now to Figure 4 which illustrates an isometric front view of a second embodiment of the instant invention and which indicates the position through at which the cross -sectional view shown as Fig. 4A is taken, the discontinuous indentations 610 at the rounded exterior face of the semi-cylindrical component have a round shaped aperture 117. As is illustrated in Fig. 4A, the walls 114 slant inwardly to provide a cone-shaped indentation. The indentation for receiving a structural support 650 is rounded when the components are juxtaposed one to the one. However, it may also be shaped to receive an I beam or other structural support. The wall thickness many vary from use to use. Preferably, for use in a warehouse where structural are to be protected from impact from tow motors, the wall thickness ranges from about 1 inch to about 3 inches. The base of the discontinuous indentations is distanced from the flat interior wall surface by about 2 inches . The preferred method of forming the se i- cylindrical components of the instant invention is by rotational molding from a UV stabilized rotational grade molding resin such as for example a polyethylene LLDPE resin, NRA-235 (available from Mobil Polymers, Norwalk, CT) which forms a resilient product after molding. As a result of the rotational molding process, the stress crack resistant surface is formed. However, the exterior face of each component may be provided with a coating of a second plastic material. Biocidal agents may be incorporated into the plastic when the plastic material is molded or may be applied in the second plastic coating to prevent or retard growth on the apparatus especially in, for example, aquatic environments . The instant invention may be stacked one apparatus on top of the other to provide greater protection at a height above the first apparatus for protecting a structural support. While the apparatus has been described as comprised of two semi- cylindrical components, rotational molding also allows for the formation of other shapes, such as triangular, rectangular and so on, depending upon the shape of the structural to be protected and the direction of expected impact. Further, the body itself absorbs impact and does not require discontinuous indentations for low energy impact uses. For example, should the structure be an overhanging one, such as for example a drive through at a restaurant, a body having a top, a base, a wall and a hollow interior may be formed. When the body is mounted at the under- surface of the overhang, impact results in air release from the hollow interior and in impact absorption. The foregoing is considered only illustrative of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention presented herein. Since numerous modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction used to illustrate the various means comprising this invention.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for protecting a structural support from impact, said apparatus comprising: at least one component for substantially covering a portion of the structural support, said component comprising: an exterior face including a receiving indentation for receiving the structural support; an air chamber retained within said component; an air vent for venting air from the air chamber, to cushion and redistribute energy from an impact with the structural support; wherein the apparatus further comprises; securing means for securing the component to the structural support. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component is one of plural components that cooperate to substantially surround the structural support ' s entire circumference. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plural components are two components. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the two components are semicylindical, and wherein a portion of each exterior face is curved, and a portion of each exterior face including the receiving indentation is flat, so that the two components join along the flat surfaces to form a seam. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving indentation is shaped to conform to the shape of the structural member. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component's interior is hollow, and wherein the air chamber is defined by the hollow component interior. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component extends longitudinally and the receiving indentation extends longitudinally along the component's full extent. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one exterior indentation, formed along the exterior face of the component, for deflecting impact energy away from the structural support . 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the at least one exterior indentation is a plurality of discontinuous indentations. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one of the plurality of discontinuous indentations has an aperture mouth, an aperture base and a plurality of aperture walls extending from the aperture base to the aperture mouth. ii. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one of the plurality of discontinuous indentations has a round- shaped aperture and walls that slant inwardly to provide a cone-shaped indentation. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component is formed of a resilient material that regains its former shape after an impact . 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the resilient material is a UV stabilized rotational grade molding resin. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a belt having closure means to secure said at least one component around the structural support. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the belt includes first and second ends, and the closure means comprises a hooked surface, formed on one end, and a napped surface, formed on the respective other end, wherein the ends are mated to make a closed loop. 16. An apparatus for protecting a structural support from impact, said apparatus comprising: at least one component for substantially covering a portion of the structural support, said component comprising: an exterior face including a receiving indentation for receiving the structural support; at least one exterior indentation, formed along the exterior face of the component, for deflecting impact energy away from the structural support; wherein the apparatus further comprises: securing means for securing the component to the structural support. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the component is one of plural components that cooperate to substantially surround the structural support ' s entire circumference. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the plural components are two components. 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the two components are semicylindrical, and wherein a portion of each exterior face is curved, and a portion of each exterior face including the receiving indentation is flat, so that the two components join along the flat surfaces to form a seam. 20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiving indentation is shaped to conform to the shape of the structural member. 21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an air chamber retained within said component, and an air vent for venting air from the air chamber, to cushion and redistribute energy from an impact with the structural support. 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the component's interior is hollow, and wherein the air chamber is defined by the hollow component interior. 23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the component extends longitudinally and the receiving indentation extends longitudinally along the component's full extent. 24. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the at least one exterior indentation is a plurality of discontinuous indentations. 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein at least one of the plurality of discontinuous indentations has an aperture mouth, an aperture base and a plurality of aperture walls extending from the aperture base to the aperture mount. 26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein at least one of the plurality of discontinuous indentations has a round- shaped aperture and walls that slant inwardly to provide a cone-shaped indentation. 27. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the component is formed of a resilient material that regains its former shape after an impact. 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the resilient material is a UV stabilized rotational grade molding resin. 29. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the securing means comprises a belt having closure means to secure said at least one component around the structural support. 30. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the belt includes first and second ends, and the closure means comprises a hooked surface, formed on one end, and a napped surface, formed on the respective other end, wherein the ends are mated to make a closed loop. 31. A method of protecting a structural support from impact, said method comprising: providing a component having an air chamber and an air vent; covering an exposed portion of the structural support with the component; securing the component to the structural support ; cushioning the structural support with said component to redistribute energy from an impact with said structural support . 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of cushioning further comprises venting air from the air chamber through the air vent, in order to cushion and redistribute energy from an impact with the structural support. 33. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of covering an exposed portion includes covering with plural components that cooperate to substantially surround the structural support's entire circumference . 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of covering with plural components comprises covering with two components. 35. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of providing a component comprises molding the component .

Inventors: ROLLER JOSEPH A, ROLLER, JOSEPH, A.
Applicants: ROLLER JOSEPH A, ROLLER, JOSEPH, A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E01F15
IPC codes: E01F15