BARRIER DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A BARRIER

Abstract: A barrier device for mounting on a structure is disclosed. The barrier device has a bracket (30) with a base (34) and a flange (31, 32) extending from the base (34). The flange (31, 32) has an aperture (50a, 51a, 52a) for receiving a portion of the structure. The device also has a barrier (37) proximate to the base (34). Finally, the barrier device includes a clamping member (39) contacting the barrier (37) and connected to the base (34). A method of mounting the barrier device to the structure is also disclosed.

Description: BARRIER DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A BARRIER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application number 60/127,697 filed April 5, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention The present invention relates generally to a barrier device and a method of providing a barrier to a structure, such as a bridge. The present invention is capable of being used in conjunction with a guardrail structure commonly found on automobile bridges. 2. Discussion of Related Art In the prior art, there are devices for universally mounting a barrier structure. One such barrier structure is sandwiched between a plurality of pairs of channel members which pairs are spaced over the length thereof. The channel members are sized so that they may be nested for receiving a flexible barrier structure or positioned back-to-back for receiving a rigid barrier structure. For use as a guardrail barrier structure, each pair of channel members is attached to a flange on a mounting bracket which is attached to the guardrail and extends laterally therefrom to the flange. The bracket may be rotated 90 degrees for mounting to a vertical as well as a horizontal guardrail. The mounting bracket is attached to a guardrail engaging strap for mounting thereof to the guardrail. The mounting bracket is provided with several spaced apertures so that it may be attached to straps of various sizes for application to various sized guardrails whereby the mounting apparatus may be simple yet effective and universally mountable. For use as a snow fence or the like, one of each pair of channel members is mounted as a post in the ground whereby the pair of channel members may be free-standing. Such prior art devices have deficiencies. For example, they require many parts and rely on friction to hold the barrier in place. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier device and a method of providing a barrier. The foregoing object is realized by the present invention, which includes a barrier device for mounting on a structure. The barrier device has a bracket with a base and a flange extending from the base. The flange has an aperture for receiving a portion of the structure. The device also has a barrier fence proximate to the base. Finally, the barrier device includes a clamping member preferably contacting the barrier fence and connected to the base. The present invention includes a method of mounting a barrier device to a structure. In the method, a bracket is provided. The bracket has a base and a flange extending from the base. Then, the flange is attached to the structure. A barrier fence is provided preferably in contact with the base, and a clamping member is provided preferably in contact with the barrier fence. Then, a rod is inserted through the clamping member, the barrier fence and the base. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims appended hereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a bridge guardrail support structure having mounted thereon a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially exploded side view of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a bracket according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of the bracket shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a top view of the bracket shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a front view of another bracket according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the bracket shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a top view of the bracket shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a front view of a clamping member according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a top view of the clamping member shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a front view of another clamping member according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a top view of the clamping member shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a side view of a bridge guardrail support structure having mounted thereon another device according to the present invention; Figure 14 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 14—14 in Figure 13 with the guardrail and guardrail support removed for clarity; Figure 15 is a bottom view of a device according to the present invention with the guardrail and guardrail support removed for clarity; Figure 16 is an exploded side view of an alternative embodiment of a bracket according to the present invention; Figure 17 is a side view of the bracket shown in Figure 16 assembled to a barrier fence and a bridge guardrail support; Figure 18 is a top view of the bracket, barrier fence and bridge guardrail support shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 shows steps of a method according to the present invention; and Figure 20 shows steps of another method according to the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention provides a device which can be attached to a structure, such as the support structure of a guardrail of a bridge. Figures 1 and 2 show a side view of a bridge having a bridge deck 10 and two guardrails 13, 14 mounted on a guardrail support 16. The guardrail support 16 is shown attached to the bridge deck 10 via deck bolts 19, 20. The guardrail support 16 includes rail flanges 22, 23, rail nuts 25, 26 and rail bolts 28, 29 for attaching the guardrails 13, 14 to the guardrail support 16. Attached to the guardrail support 16 is a bracket 30. As best seen in Figures 3-8, the bracket 30 includes bracket flanges 31, 32 and a bracket base 34. Figures 3-5 depict an embodiment of the bracket 30. Figures 6-8 depict an alternative embodiment of the bracket 30. The bracket flanges 31, 32 are connected to the guardrails 13, 14, for example via rail nuts 25, 26 and rail bolts 28, 29, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bracket flanges 31, 32 extend from the rail bolts 28, 29 through the guardrail support 16 to the bracket base 34. A barrier fence 37 is provided proximate to, but preferably in contact with, the bracket base 34. The barrier fence 37 may have an open mesh, such as a chain link fence, or may be another type of barrier. A clamping member 39, shown in Figures 9 and 10, is also positioned proximate to, but preferably in contact with, the barrier fence 37. An alternative embodiment of the clamping member 39 is shown in Figures 11 and 12. The barrier fence 37 may be attached as shown in Figures 1 and 2 with fence bolts 40, 41, which extend through base holes 43A, 44A in the bracket base 34, and through member holes 43B, 44B in the clamping member 39, combined with fence nuts 46, 47. It should be noted that the bracket base 34 can nest with the clamping member 39. Figures 13 and 14 show a device in which the bracket base 34 is nested with the clamping member 39. Figures 15 and 18 show alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the bracket base 34 is nested with the clamping member 39. The tines 48 of the bracket base 34 may reside between the fingers 49 of the clamping member, as shown in Figure 14, or the fingers 49 may reside between the tines 48, as shown in Figures 15 and 18. The nesting feature allows the barrier fence 37 to be pulled taught simply by moving the clamping member 39 closer to the bracket base 34. In the embodiments shown, the clamping member 39 is moved closer to the bracket base 34 by tightening the fence bolts 40, 41 and fence nuts 46, 47. Figures 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of the present invention in which the bracket base 34 resides between the barrier fence 37 and the guardrail support 16. In contrast to Figures 1 and 2, Figures 13 and 14 show an embodiment of the present invention in which the barrier fence 37 is positioned between the bracket base 34 and the guardrail support 16. In this embodiment, the bracket flanges 31, 32 extend through the barrier fence 37. The clamping member 39 may then be attached to the bracket base 34, for example, via the fence nuts 46, 47 and the fence bolts 40, 41. An alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 15 includes a cable 54. The cable 54 may be a one-quarter inch diameter steel cable. A first end 57 and a second end 60 of the cable 54 are secured to the barrier fence 37, such as by weaving the ends 57, 60 through the barrier fence 37. Between the ends 57, 60, the cable 54 runs around at least a portion of the rail bolt 29. A similar arrangement may be provided with regard to the rail bolt 28 and another cable similar to cable 54. In this manner, the cable 54 provides support for the barrier fence 37. Figures 16-18 illustrate a variation of the alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 15. Figure 16 is an exploded side view of a bracket 30 according to the present invention. The bracket 30 shown in Figures 16 and 17 includes one or more eyelets 63A, 63B on the bracket flange 31 for receiving a cable 54A. The bracket 30 shown in Figures 16 and 17 also may include another eyelet 64 on the bracket flange 32 for receiving a cable 54B. In a modified version of the bracket 30 shown in Figures 16 and 17, the bracket 30 may include two eyelets 63A, 63B on the bracket flange 31. The bracket flange 32 may similarly include two eyelets. Figures 16-18 show another way of attaching the present invention. As best seen in Figure 18, a strap 67 envelopes a portion of the guard rail support 16, and the strap 67 is attached to the bracket flange 30 by threaded ends 70 of the strap 67, which extend through the bracket flange 30 and are fixed in place by nuts 73. Figure 19 describes one method of installing the device described above. In the method a bracket, similar to the bracket 30 described above, is provided (step 100) . Then, the bracket is attached (step 103) to the structure by, for example, (A) inserting the bracket flanges 31, 32 through the guardrail support 16, and so that one of the flange holes 50A, 51A, 52A on bracket flange 31 is aligned with rail bolt 28; (B) inserting the rail bolt 28 through one of the flange holes 50A, 51A 52A and then threading the rail nut 25 onto the rail bolt 28 to hold the guardrail 13 and the bracket flange 31; (C) aligning one of the flange holes 50B, 51B, 52B on bracket flange 32 with rail bolt 29, and inserting rail bolt 29 through one of the flange holes 50B, 51B and 52B; and (D) threading rail nut 26 onto rail bolt 29 to hold the guardrail 14 and the bracket flange 32. Then a barrier, such as the barrier fence 37, is provided proximate to the base (step 106), and a clamping member, such as the clamping member 39 described above, is provided proximate to the barrier (step 109) . Finally, a rod, such as the fence bolt 40, is provided (step 112) and inserted (step 115) through the clamping member, the barrier and the base. This may be done by inserting the fence bolts 40, 41 through the member holes 43B, 44B in the clamping member 39, through the barrier fence 37, and then through base holes 43A, 44A in the bracket base 34. The fence nuts 46, 47 may then be threaded onto the fence bolts 40, 41 to secure the barrier fence 37 between the bracket base 34 and the clamping member 39. Figure 1 shows a device assembled according to such a method. In another method according to the present invention, described in Figure 20, a bracket similar to that described above is provided (step 100), and a barrier is provided (step 106) . Then a portion of the bracket, such as the bracket flanges 31, 32 are inserted (step 150) through the barrier, and the flanges 31, 32 are attached (step 103) to the structure, for example to a guardrail in the manner provided above. Then, a clamping member may be provided (step 109) proximate to the barrier, and preferably such that the clamping member partially surrounds the bracket base, as shown in Figure 14. Finally, if provided, the clamping member is connected to the base (step 153) . If desired, the fence bolts 40, 41 are inserted through the holes 43B, 44B in the clamping member 39, through the holes 43A, 44A in the bracket base 34 and through the barrier fence 37. Next, the fence nuts 46, 47 are threaded onto the fence bolts 40, 41 to secure the fence bolts 40, 41. Figure 13 shows a device assembled in this manner. Although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, the present invention is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A barrier device on a structure comprising: a bracket having a base and a flange extending from the base, wherein the flange has an aperture therethrough receiving a portion of the structure; a barrier proximate to the base; and a clamping member proximate to the barrier and connected to the base. 2. The barrier device of claim 1, further comprising a rod extending through an aperture in the base and through an aperture in the clamping member to connect the clamping member to the base. 3. The barrier device of claim 2, wherein the rod extends through an aperture in the barrier. 4. The barrier device of claim 1, wherein the barrier is a chain link fence. 5. The barrier device of claim 1, wherein the barrier is positioned between the base and the clamping member. 6. The barrier device of claim 1, wherein the base is positioned between the barrier and the structure. 7. The barrier device of claim 1, wherein the barrier is positioned between the base and the structure. 8. The barrier device of claim 7, wherein the flange extends through the barrier. 9. The barrier device of claim 1, wherein the base and the flange are integrally connected. 10. The barrier device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the structure received by the aperture in the flange is a bar extending through the structure. 11. A barrier device comprising: a bracket having a base integrally connected to a first flange and a second flange extending from the base, wherein the first flange has a first aperture therethrough for receiving a first portion of a structure and wherein the second flange has a second aperture therethrough for receiving a second portion of the structure; a barrier proximate to the base; and a clamping member proximate to the barrier and connected to the base. 12. A method of mounting a barrier device to a structure, comprising: providing a bracket having a base and a flange extending from the base; attaching the flange to the structure by inserting a rod through an aperture in the flange and through the structure; providing a barrier proximate to the base; providing a clamping member proximate to the barrier; providing a rod; and inserting the rod through the clamping member, the barrier and the base. 13. A method of mounting a barrier device to a structure, comprising: providing a bracket having a base and a flange extending from the base; providing a barrier; inserting the flange through the barrier; and attaching the flange to the structure. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein attaching the flange to the structure includes inserting a rod through an aperture in the flange. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising inserting a rod through the barrier and the base. 16. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing a clamping member and attaching the clamping member to the base. 17. A barrier device comprising: a bracket having a base and a flange extending from the base, wherein the base has extending tines; a barrier proximate to the base; and a clamping member proximate to the barrier and connected to the base, wherein the clamping member has fingers, and the fingers are nested with the tines. 18. The barrier device of claim 17, wherein the fingers are nested with the tines so that the barrier is forced to bend by the tines and fingers. 19. The barrier device of claim 17, wherein the fingers are positioned between the tines. 20. The barrier device of claim 17, wherein the tines are positioned between the fingers. 21. The barrier device of claim 17, wherein the barrier is positioned between the base and the clamping member. 22. The barrier device of claim 17, wherein the flange extends through the barrier. 23. The barrier device of claim 17, wherein the base and the flange are integrally connected.

Inventors: COCINA JOSEPH JR, COCINA, JOSEPH, JR.
Applicants: BRIDGE STRUCTURES INC, BRIDGE STRUCTURES, INC.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04H17
IPC codes: E01D19