Patent Publication Number: US-2023151569-A1

Title: Barrier systems with impact resistant rails supported from floor mounted post bases

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/279,165, which was filed on Nov. 14, 2021. U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/279,165 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/279,165 is claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to barrier systems and, more particularly, to barrier systems with impact resistant rails supported from floor mounted post bases. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Barrier systems are often implemented on roadways, driveways, loading docks, rail or finger docks, factories, and warehouse floors. Some such barrier systems include one or more rails that extend horizontally between vertical posts. In some instances, the vertical posts are anchored to the floor to provide a barrier that is able to resist and/or withstand certain impacts to the posts and/or rails. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an example barrier system implemented in accordance with teachings of this disclosure including an example post. 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged perspective view of the example post of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the example post of  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of another example barrier system implemented in accordance with teachings of this disclosure including an example post. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the example barrier system of  FIG.  4    including an exploded view of the example post of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged perspective view of the example post of  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of the example post of  FIGS.  4 - 6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of another example post implemented in accordance with teachings of this disclosure including an example post. 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of the example post of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of another example post implemented in accordance with teachings of this disclosure including an example post. 
         FIG.  11    is a top view of the example post of  FIG.  10   . 
     
    
    
     In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Instead, the thickness of the layers or regions may be enlarged in the drawings. As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the term “above” describes the relationship of two parts relative to Earth. A first part is above a second part, if the second part has at least one part between Earth and the first part. Likewise, as used herein, a first part is “below” a second part when the first part is closer to the Earth than the second part. As noted above, a first part can be above or below a second part with one or more of: other parts therebetween, without other parts therebetween, with the first and second parts touching, or without the first and second parts being in direct contact with one another. 
     As used in this patent, stating that any part (e.g., a layer, film, area, region, or plate) is in any way on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, indicates that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. 
     As used herein, connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) may include intermediate members between the elements referenced by the connection reference and/or relative movement between those elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and/or in fixed relation to each other. As used herein, stating that any part is in “contact” with another part is defined to mean that there is no intermediate part between the two parts. As used herein, “approximately” and “about” refer to dimensions that may not be exact due to manufacturing tolerances and/or other real world imperfections. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used herein without imputing or otherwise indicating any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and/or ordering in any way, but are merely used as labels and/or arbitrary names to distinguish elements for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as “second” or “third.” In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for identifying those elements distinctly that might, for example, otherwise share a same name. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Many barrier systems (also referred to herein as guard rail systems, or barriers) include a plurality of spaced apart posts with rails extending therebetween. In some barrier systems, multiple rails may extend between adjacent posts at different locations along the height of the posts. In some examples, the rails are composed of plastics and/or other materials that provide some flexibility or resilience in response to an impact. However, such materials are susceptible to shearing or deformation near the posts if an impact occurs near the center of the rails. By contrast, the posts, or at least bases supporting the posts, are made of a rigid material (e.g., metal) that provides the structural strength and rigidity to secure the posts to the ground or floor. Examples disclosed herein enable the coupling of such flexible rails to rigid post bases so as to take advantage of both the elastic deformability of the rails and the inelastic sturdiness of the post bases plates while reducing the likelihood of damage to components in the event of an impact with the barrier system. Though the description refers to plastic rails and metal post bases, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure includes rails and/or post bases of other materials and that the rails are relatively more flexible (less rigid) than the post bases. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an example barrier  100  implemented in accordance with teachings of this disclosure. In the illustrated example of  FIG.  1   , the barrier  100  includes an example first post  102 , an example second post  104 , and an example third post  106 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  1   , exterior of the first post  102  is see-through for purposes of illustration to enable the interior components to be visible. The example barrier  100  of  FIG.  1    includes an example first rail  110  including separate portions extending between adjacent ones of the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  at a first height and an example second rail  112  including separate portions extending between adjacent ones of the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  at a second height that is lower than the first height from the ground. 
     The barrier  100  is configured to withstand impacts from vehicles (e.g., fork trucks) and other heavy equipment. In some examples, the barrier  100  is anchored (e.g., coupled, etc.) to the floor via the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  and one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts, etc.). While the barrier  100  is depicted with the three posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  and the two rails  110 ,  112 , the barrier  100  can have any suitable number of posts and/or rails. In other examples, the path of the barrier  100  may include corners and/or otherwise follow a non-straight line. 
     The rails  110 ,  112  are horizontally oriented structural elements that transfer shear (or transverse) impacts to the barrier to the ground via the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  1   , the rails  110 ,  112  extend between the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  1   , the rails  110 ,  112  are hollow tubular elements. In other examples, the rails  110 ,  112  can be solid elements and/or have any other suitable shape. In some examples, the rails  110 ,  112  can be composed of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In other examples, the rails  110 ,  112  can be composed of any other suitable materials (e.g., another plastic, a polymer, a metal, etc.). In the illustrated example of  FIG.  1   , the rails  110 ,  112  are composed of discrete segments (e.g., different tubes, etc.) that extend between adjacent ones of the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 . In other examples, the rails  110 ,  112  can be composed of a unitary structural element that extends all the way through one or more of the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 . 
     The posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  are vertically oriented structural elements that anchor the barrier  100  to the ground or floor. In some examples, impacts to the rails  110 ,  112  are transferred to the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  to protect people and/or objects on the other side of the barrier  100 . In the illustrated example, the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  are hollow tubular elements. In other examples, the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  can be solid elements and/or have any other suitable shape. In some examples, the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  can be composed of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In other examples, the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106  can be composed of any other suitable materials (e.g., another plastic, a polymer, a metal, etc.). 
     An enlarged perspective view of the first post  102  is illustrated in  FIG.  2   . A top down view of the first post  102  is shown in  FIG.  3   . As with  FIG.  1   , the exterior of the post  102  shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3    is see-through or transparent for purposes of explanation. As shown in the illustrated examples of  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the first post  102  includes an example first rod  114 A, an example second rod  114 B, an example outer body  116 , and an example anchor  118 . The example anchor  118  is the portion of the post  102  coupled to the ground or floor. In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the anchor  118  includes a base plate  120  with mounting holes  122  to enable one or more fasteners or anchors (e.g., bolts, etc.) to secure the anchor  118  to the floor. Further, the anchor includes a cylindrical portion  124  that protrudes upwards from the base plate  120 . In some examples, both the base plate  120  and the cylindrical portion  124  are composed of a rigid material (e.g., steel) to provide structural stability for the barrier  100 . In other examples, the anchor  118  can be composed of any other suitable materials (e.g., plastic, metal, polymer, etc.) or combination thereof. In some examples the cylindrical portion  124  is affixed (e.g., welded) to the base plate  120 . In other examples, the cylindrical portion  124  is integrally formed with the base plate  120 . In other examples, the anchor  118  can have any other suitable shape, orientation, and/or features to rigidly couple the post  102  to the ground or floor. 
     As shown in the illustrated example, the cylindrical portion  124  is to receive or fit within the inner diameter of the outer body  116 . In other examples, the cylindrical portion of the anchor  118  can receive or surround the outer diameter of the outer body  116 . In some examples, one or more retaining elements (e.g., threaded fasteners) may be used to couple the outer body  116  to the cylindrical portion  124  of the anchor  118  (e.g., via associated holes  126 ). In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the outer body  116  is not fixed or coupled (e.g., not via fasteners, chemical adhesives, press fits, etc.) to the rods  114 A,  114 B or the rails  110 ,  112  such that the rods  114 A,  114 B and the rails  110 ,  112  are free to move relative to the outer body  116 . However, due to the interlocking relationship of the different components, such movement is relatively constrained without disassembling the barrier  100 . In some examples, the connection between the outer body  116  and the cylindrical portion  124  of the anchor  118  is sealed in any suitable manner (e.g., via a gasket, an O-ring, a grommet. etc.). In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the outer body  116  is composed of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In other examples, the outer body  116  can be composed of any suitable material (e.g., another plastic, a metal, a polymer, etc.) or combination thereof. In the illustrated example, the outer body  116  includes through holes or openings  128  to receive the rails  110 ,  112 . In some examples, the joints between the outer body  116  and the rails  110 ,  112  (e.g., at the openings  128 ) are sealed in any suitable manner (e.g., via a gasket, an O-ring, a grommet, etc.). In some such examples, the weight of the rails  110 ,  112  is supported by the outer body  116  via the through holes. Further, the example outer body  116  is an outer shell that surrounds the rods  114 A,  114 B. 
     The example rods  114 A,  114 B are structural elements that transfer force in shear from the rails  110 ,  112  to the anchor  118 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the rods  114 A,  114 B are vertically oriented and pass through corresponding holes of the rails  110 ,  112 . In some examples, the rods  114 A,  114 B may provide some support for the rails  110 ,  112  in addition to or instead of the outer body  116  due to the connection between the rods  114 A,  114 B and the rails  110 ,  112 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the receiving through holes in the rails  110 ,  112  are circular and generally have the same cross-sectional shape as the rods  114 A,  114 B. In other examples, the receiving through holes in the rails  110 ,  112  can be slots (elongate in a direction of the main axis of the rails  110 ,  112 , etc.) to enable the movement of the rods  114 A,  114 B laterally (e.g., in the direction of the main axis of the rails  110 ,  112 , etc.) relative to the rails  110 ,  112 . 
     In some examples, the rods  114 A,  114 B rest on the base plate  120  within the cylindrical portion  124  of the anchor  118  without being directly attached to the anchor  118  (e.g., the rods  114 A,  114 B are freestanding on the anchor  118 ). In this manner, the rods  114 A,  114 B are able to move relative to the anchor  118  when, for example, the barrier  100  is subject to an impact. However, as the rods  114 A,  114 B move in response to an impact, the rods  114 A,  114 B may come into contact with the cylindrical portion  124  thereby preventing significant movement of the rods  114 A,  114 B, which in turn provides stability for the barrier  100 . In such examples, the vertical orientation of the freestanding rods  114 A,  114 B is maintained by virtue of the rods extending through the holes in the rails  110 ,  112 , which in turn extend through the holes in the outer body  116 . In some examples, the anchor  118  can include features (e.g., depressions, projections, threaded elements, etc.) to specifically retain the ends of rods  114 A,  114 B. In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the rods  114 A,  114 B are tubes. In other examples, the rods can be solid and/or any other suitable shape (e.g., ovoid, polygonal, flat, etc.). In this example, the rods  114 A,  114 B are composed of a rigid material (e.g., steel). In other examples, the rods  114 A,  114 B can be composed of any suitable material (e.g., plastic, metal, polymer, etc.) or combination thereof. 
     While not explicitly described herein, the other posts  104 ,  106  can have any suitable configuration, material composition, and include any suitable mechanical components. For example, the other posts  104 ,  106  can have the same form and material composition as the first post  102 . In other examples, if the other posts  104 ,  106  are end posts, the ends posts can include a single rod (e.g., corresponding to the rods  114 A,  114 B, etc.). In other examples, the other posts  104 ,  106  can include any other suitable configuration, form, and/or material compositions. 
       FIG.  4    is a perspective view of another example barrier  400  implemented in accordance with teachings of this disclosure.  FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the example barrier  400  with the first post shown in an exploded view.  FIG.  6    is an enlarged view of a first post  402  of the example barrier  400 .  FIG.  7    is a top view of the first post  402  of the example barrier  400  with the first and second guard rails  410 ,  412  omitted to provide an unobstructed view of the third guard rail  414 . Some of the components in  FIGS.  4 - 7    are transparent or see-through for purposes of illustration to enable internal components to be visible. The example barrier  400  of  FIGS.  4 - 7    is similar in design and construction to the example barrier  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 3    except as noted below. As such, the description of similar components shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3    applies equally with respect to the example barrier  400  of  FIGS.  4 - 7   . Likewise, features shown and described in connection with  FIGS.  4 - 7    may be implemented in connection with the example barrier  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . In view of the similarities between the two example barriers  100 ,  400 , the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar features between the two example barriers  100 ,  400 . 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG.  4   , the barrier  400  includes an example first post  402 , an example second post  404 , and an example third post  406 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  4   , the barrier  400  includes an example first rail  410 , an example second rail  412 , and an example third rail  414 . Thus, whereas the example barrier  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 3    includes only two rails  110 ,  112 , the example barrier  400  of  FIGS.  4 - 7    includes three rails  410 ,  412 ,  414 . However, in other examples, the barrier  400  of  FIGS.  4 - 7    may include any suitable number of rails. A further difference between the barrier  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 3    and the barrier  400  of  FIGS.  4 - 7    is that the second and third rails  412 ,  414  are slight larger than the first rail  410 . However, in other examples, the rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  may all be the same size or may all be different sizes. Further, the rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  in  FIGS.  4 - 7    may be the same size or a different size than the rails  110 ,  112  of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . In the illustrated example of  FIGS.  6 - 7   , the third rail  414  is transparent (in addition to the outer body  116 ) for purposes of explanation to show the components disposed therein. 
     In the illustrated example of  FIGS.  4 - 7   , the rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  are coupled to the posts  402 ,  404 ,  406  and anchored to the ground or floor in substantially the same way as described above in connection with  FIGS.  1 - 3   . That is, as shown in the illustrated example, the first post  402  is secured to the ground via an anchor  118  that includes a base plate  120  and a cylindrical portion  124 . The cylindrical portion  124  is to receive an outer body  116  that includes through holes through which the rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  extend. Further, the rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  include holes through which corresponding rods  114 A,  114 B extend to be held in a vertical orientation with a bottom end of the rods  114 A,  114 B engaging the base plate  120  within the cylindrical portion  124  of the anchor  118 . 
     The post  402  of  FIGS.  4 - 7    differs from the post  102  in  FIGS.  1 - 3    in that the post  402  of  FIGS.  4 - 7    includes an example first sleeve  416 A and an example second sleeve  416 B positioned within the third rail  414  at the location where the rods  114 A,  114 B pass through the third rail  414 . For purposes of explanation, the sleeves  416 A,  416 B are shaded in the drawings to distinguish the sleeves from the surrounding components. The example sleeves  416 A,  416 B are comparatively high strength elements disposed within the inner diameter of the third rail  414 . The sleeves  416 A,  416 B extend through the rail-receiving holes of the outer body  116  and into the portion of the rail  414  between the posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.   4   , the sleeves  416 A,  416 B are approximately 5% of the length of the rail  414 . In other examples, the sleeves  416 A,  416 B can be any suitable portion of the length of the rail  414  (e.g., 10% of the length, 25% of the length, etc.). The sleeves  416 A,  416 B increase the shear strength of the rail  414  by reducing the likelihood of the rail  414  shearing near the post  102 , thereby increasing the strength of the barrier  100  to impacts. More particularly, in the illustrated examples, the sleeves  416 A,  416 B reinforce the rail  414  at or around the connection between the rail  414  and the rods  114 A,  114 B to prevent inelastic deformation of the rail as a result of a significant impact on the barrier. 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG.  4   , the sleeves  416 A,  416 B include through holes to enable the respective one of the rods  114 A,  114 B to pass therethrough. In the illustrated example of  FIG.  4   , the sleeves  416 A,  416 B are composed of a metal (e.g., steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass, etc.). In some such examples, the rods  114 A,  114 B and the anchor  118  are also composed of metal to provide direct metal-to-metal connections between the sleeves  416 A,  416 B and the rods  114 A,  114 B and between the rods  114 A,  114 B and the anchor  118  for increased structural integrity in the event of an impact with the barrier  400 . In other examples, the sleeves  416 A,  416 B can be composed of any other suitable high strength material. While the illustrated example of  FIGS.  4 - 7    only depicts the third rail  414  as including the sleeves  416 A,  416 B, in other examples, the other rails  410 ,  412  of the barrier  100  can include similar sleeves. 
     In the illustrated example, the third rail  414  includes holes  418  that align with corresponding holes  420  in the sleeves  416 A,  416 B to receive retaining elements (e.g., threaded fasteners, etc.) that facilitate the coupling of the sleeves  416 A,  416 B to the third rail  414 . In some examples, fasteners extending through the holes  418 ,  420  maintain the position of the sleeves  416 A,  416 B within the rail  414  to prevent the sleeves  416 A,  416 B from moving concentrically within the rail  414 . Likewise, the fasteners prevent the sleeves  416 A,  416 B from moving axially along the length of the rail  414 . As a result, when the rail  414  is impacted, the force of the impact will transfer to the sleeves  416 A,  416 B to then be transferred to the vertical rods  114 A,  114 B. As the force acts on the rods  114 A,  114 B, the rods will contact the cylindrical portion  124  of the anchor  118 , thereby transferring the force of the impact to the anchor  118 , which is securely fastened to the floor. In this manner, the barrier 300 is able to withstand relatively significant impacts. 
     In some examples, some of the fasteners and/or corresponding holes  418 ,  420  can be absent. For example, the sleeve  416 A can be coupled to the third rail  414  via any suitable number or type of fastener (e.g., screw, pin, etc.). In some examples, all of the fasteners and holes  418 ,  420  can be absent. In some such examples, the relative position of the sleeves  416 A,  416 B within the third rail  414  can be maintained by other suitable means (e.g., chemical adhesive, press fit, thermal-shrink fit, etc.). 
     In some examples, as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the post  402  includes an example cap  422  that is disposed on the top hole of the outer body  116 . In some examples, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the cap  422  can be absent. In some examples, the cap  422  is composed of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In other examples, the cap  422  can be composed of any suitable materials (e.g., another plastic, a metal, a polymer, etc.) or combination thereof. The cap can be configured to connect to the outer body  116  by any suitable way (e.g., fasteners, adhesive, friction fit, etc.). 
       FIG.  8    is a perspective view of another example post  800  that may be used in conjunction with the example barriers  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 3    and/or the example barrier  400  of  FIGS.  4 - 7   .  FIG.  9    is a top view of the example post  800  of  FIG.  8    with the first and second guard rails  410 ,  412  omitted to provide an unobstructed view of the third guard rail  414  and an example reinforcement  802 . The example post  800  of  FIG.  8    is substantially the same as the first post  402  shown and described above in connection with  FIGS.  4 - 7    except as set forth below and, therefore, is labelled with the same reference numerals. However, as shown in the illustrated example of  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the example post  800  further includes an example reinforcement  802 . In the illustrated example of  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the reinforcement  802  is a rigid plate that couples the first rod  114 A to the second rod  114 B. Alternatively, the reinforcement  802  can be an oval ring or other suitable structure to restrict the lateral movement of the rods  114 A,  114 B within the post  800 . In the illustrated example of  FIG.  8   , the reinforcement802 is disposed between the second rail  112  and the third rail  414 . In other examples, the reinforcement  802  can be disposed at any other suitable location (e.g., between the first rail  410  and the second rail  412 , under the third rail  414 , etc.). Additionally or alternatively, additional reinforcements can be coupled between the first rod  114 A and the second rod  114 B. In some examples, the reinforcement  802  may be used to mechanically link or connect the two rods  114 A,  114 B while the sleeves  416 A,  416 B are omitted. 
       FIG.  10    is a perspective view of another example post  1000  that may be used in conjunction with the example barriers  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 3    and/or instead of the example barriers  400 ,  800  of  FIGS.  4 - 9   .  FIG.  11    is a top view of the example post  1000  of  FIG.  10    with the first and second guard rails  410 ,  412  omitted to provide an unobstructed view of the third guard rail  414 . In this example, a single sleeve  1002  is used in place of the two separate sleeves  416 A,  416 B shown in the examples of  FIGS.  4 - 9    to reinforce the ends (and holes  206 A,  206 B) of both adjacent sections or segments of the rail  414  within the post  102 . The single sleeve  1002  has two through holes, each to receive one of the vertical rods  114 A,  114 B. As such, the single sleeve  1002  functionally replaces both the sleeves  416 A,  416 B and the reinforcement  802 . In some examples, the single sleeve  1002  that connects or links both rods  114 A,  114 B can be used in addition to the reinforcement  802  shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . 
     In some examples, as shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , additional holes  1004  in the third guard rail  414  provide additional points to maintain the rail  414  coupled to the internal sleeve  1002 . In some examples, this coupling is achieved by threaded fasteners extending through the holes  1004  and corresponding holes in the sleeve  1002 . In some examples, the additional holes  1004  are the only holes through which fasteners are placed to secure the guard rail  414  to the sleeve  1002 . That is, in some examples, the holes  418  closer to the ends of the sleeve  1002  are omitted. Further, the particular position of the holes  418 ,  1004  are for purposes of explanation. In other examples, a different number of holes and/or different placements of the holes may be used. Further, in some examples, the same arrangement of holes and fasteners are used for all three of the guard rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  to secure each rail to a corresponding sleeve  1002 . However, in other examples, different ones of the guard rails  410 ,  412 ,  414  (and associated sleeves) may include different numbers of holes (and associated fasteners) and/or the holes (and associated fasteners) may be in different locations relative to the other rails. For purposes of explanation, only the additional holes  1004  associated with the third guard rail  414  are described in detail. 
     As shown in the illustrated example, the additional holes  1004  are positioned in alignment with the wall of the outer body or shell  116  of the post  1000 . That is, the holes  1004  (and thus the associated fasteners disposed therein) are positioned between an inner surface  1006  and an outer surface  1008  of the outer body  116 . As a result, a fastener within the holes  1004  will engage and/or be in contact with the interfacing edge of the openings  128  surrounding the guard rail  414 . Positioning the holes  1004  and associated fasteners so as to be partially or completely overlapped or covered by the thickness of the wall of the outer body  116  helps to retain the fasteners within the holes  1004 , thereby ensuring the fasteners remain engaged with the sleeve  1002 . 
     Furthermore, the above-disclosed arrangement of the additional holes  1004  also improves the strength of the assembly to resist failure during an impact. As already described, the force of an impact on the guard rail  414  is transferred to the sleeve  1002 , from the sleeve  1002  to the rods  114 A,  114 B, and from the rods  114 A,  114 B to the anchor  118 . In some examples, due to the properties of the material used for the guard rail  414  (e.g., a polymer) relative to the material used for the other components (e.g., metal), the rail  414  is likely to be the weakest point in the assembly. Thus, during an impact, the guard rail  414  may tear away from the sleeve  1002 . However, with fasteners positioned underneath (e.g., retained by) the wall of the outer body  116  within the holes  1004 , as shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the outer body  116  can reduce the likelihood of the rail material cracking and/or or expanding in diameter to slide past the fasteners. Accordingly, separation of the rail  414  from the sleeve  1002  is likely to occur only when the fastener fully shears the rail material. As a result, the above arrangement increases the likelihood of impact forces being transferred to the anchor  118  without the rail  414  separating from the sleeve  1002 . 
     While the additional holes  1002  are shown and described with reference to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , similar holes can be implemented in any of the other example posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  800  of  FIGS.  1 - 9   . More generally, the foregoing examples of the barriers  100 ,  400  and the associated posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  800 ,  1000  teach or suggest different features. Although each example barriers  100 ,  400  and the associated posts  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  800 ,  1000  disclosed above has certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example’s features are not mutually exclusive to another example’s features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features. 
     “Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation of any kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc., may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including” are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form such as A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) B with C, or (7) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and/or things, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and/or things, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. 
     As used herein, singular references (e.g., “a”, “an”, “first”, “second”, etc.) do not exclude a plurality. The term “a” or “an” object, as used herein, refers to one or more of that object. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements, or method actions may be implemented by, e.g., the same entity or object. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different examples or claims, these may possibly be combined, and the inclusion in different examples or claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. 
     Further examples and combinations thereof include the following: 
     Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising an outer body of a post to extend upward from a ground, the post to be anchored to the ground, a rail to extend through an opening in a wall of the outer body, and a rod to extend upward from the ground within the outer body, the rod to extend through a hole in the rail.   Example 2 includes the apparatus of example 1, further including a sleeve disposed within an inner diameter of the rail, the sleeve to be more rigid than the rail, the rod to extend through the sleeve.   Example 3 includes the apparatus of example 2, wherein the hole is a first hole, the rail including a second hole, the second hole to receive a fastener to retain the sleeve within the rail.   Example 4 includes the apparatus of example 3, wherein the second hole is to be aligned with the wall of the outer body so that the fastener is to be retained by an edge of the opening in the wall.   Example 5 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 2-4, wherein the outer body and the rail are composed of a polymer, and the rod and the sleeve are composed of metal.   Example 6 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 1-5, wherein the opening is a first opening and the rod is a first rod, the rail including a first segment and a second segment separate from the first segment, a first end of the first segment to extend through the first opening, a second end of the second segment to extend through a second opening in the wall of the outer body, the first rod to extend through the first segment, the apparatus further including a second rod disposed within the outer body, the second rod to extend through the second segment.   Example 7 includes the apparatus of example 6, further including a reinforcement to couple the first rod to the second rod.   Example 8 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 6 or 7, further including a sleeve to extend into the first segment of the rail and to extend into the second segment of the rail, the first rod to extend through a first hole in the sleeve, the second rod to extend through a second hole in the sleeve.   Example 9 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 1-8, wherein the hole is a slot with a length greater than a width, the slot to enable the rod to translate relative to the rail along the length of the slot.   Example 10 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 1-9, further including a base plate to facilitate anchoring of the post to the ground, and a cylindrical protrusion to extend upward from the base plate, the outer body to surround the cylindrical protrusion, the cylindrical protrusion to surround the rod.   Example 11 includes the apparatus of example 10, wherein the base plate and the cylindrical protrusion are metal, and the cylindrical protrusion is welded to the base plate.   Example 12 includes an apparatus comprising a post including a rod and an outer shell, the outer shell to surround the rod, a guard rail to be coupled to the rod within the outer shell, and a sleeve to be coupled to the rod and to the guard rail, both the sleeve and the guard rail to extend through an opening in a wall of the outer shell.   Example 13 includes the apparatus of example 12, wherein the sleeve is to be coupled to the rod and the guard rail to enable a transfer of a force of an impact on the guard rail to the rod.   Example 14 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 12 or 13, wherein the opening is a first opening, and the guard rail includes a first segment and a second segment, the first segment of the guard rail to extend from an interior of the post through the first opening, the second segment of the guard rail to extend from the interior of the post through a second opening in the outer shell.   Example 15 includes the apparatus of example 14, wherein the sleeve is coupled to both the first and second segments of the guard rail.   Example 16 includes the apparatus of example 14, wherein the sleeve is a first sleeve, the first sleeve disposed within the first segment of the guard rail, the apparatus further including a second sleeve disposed within the second segment of the guard rail, the second sleeve distinct from and spaced apart from the first sleeve.   Example 17 includes the apparatus of example 16, wherein the rod is a first rod, and the post includes a second rod within the outer shell, the first rod to extend through the first segment of the guard rail and through the first sleeve, the second rod to extend through the second segment of the guard rail and through the second sleeve.   Example 18 includes the apparatus of example 17, further including a reinforcement having first and second spaced apart holes, the first rod to extend through the first hole, the second rod to extend through the second hole.   Example 19 includes an apparatus comprising an anchor including a base plate and a cylindrical protrusion extending therefrom, a rod to extend away from the base plate within the cylindrical protrusion, the rod longer than the cylindrical protrusion, a rail to extend laterally away from the rod, the rod to extend through a hole in the rail, and a sleeve to reinforce the rail adjacent the hole.   Example 20 includes the apparatus of example 19, wherein the rod is a first rod and the rail is a first rail, the apparatus further including a second rod to extend away from the base plate within the cylindrical protrusion, and a second rail to extend laterally away from the second rod, the sleeve to be coupled to both the first rod and the second rod.   Example 21 includes the apparatus of example 19, wherein the rod is a first rod, the rail is a first rail, and the sleeve is a first sleeve, the apparatus further including a second rod to extend away from the base plate within the cylindrical protrusion, a second rail to extend laterally away from the second rod, and a second sleeve to reinforce the second rail, the second sleeve different than the first sleeve.   

     The following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference. Although certain example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.