Abstract:
A protective barrier assembly is especially adapted for service tower installations. A pair of pre-cast quasi-U-shaped shells, mate to form a vertically extending enclosure. A pair of caps bridges the shells. A retention rim of the caps extends around the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end. A post for the service tower projects through an opening in the caps. The shells are substantially identical reinforced concrete structures. The caps may also be identical.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/137,487 filed on Jul. 30, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to installations which employ numerous service towers for servicing tractor/trailers and large trucks by providing power, communications and other services. More particularly, this disclosure relates generally to installation methods and the support base structures for such service towers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Briefly stated, a protective barrier assembly comprises a pair of substantially identical, pre-cast, quasi-U-shaped shells. The shells are mated in end-to-end relationship to form a vertically extending enclosure with an upper end. A pair of caps covers the upper end. Each cap bridges the shells and cooperates to define a central opening. A cap retention rim extends about the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end of the shell. The caps are preferably substantially identical. Each of the caps has a plate and fasteners extend through the plate for securing together the caps. 
         [0004]    The shells have a rectangular opening with a recess and upon mating the shells form a pair of access openings at opposite sides. An access cover covers the access openings. The shells are preferably formed from reinforced concrete wherein each shell is an integral one-piece structure comprising an extended wall, a rounded wall and a truncated wall. The rounded wall defines a notch and a carrier bar is anchored to the shell and extends across the notch. The extended wall is defined by a rectangular recess. 
         [0005]    In one form, a service tower base installation comprises a mounting platform, a tower pole mounted to the platform and a protective barrier. The barrier comprises a pair of substantially identical pre-cast members which form an enclosure and surround the platform and extend above the platform. A cover bridges the pre-cast members and defines an opening through which the pole vertically projects. The opening defines a gap surrounding the pole. A bracket, which includes flanges, connects the bottom end of the pole. The flanges receive fasteners anchored to the mounting platform. The barrier assembly is a modular construction formed from two pairs of substantially identical members. The enclosure contains at least one electrical box for the service tower. The safety barrier has an access opening at opposed sides thereof. The cover is preferably formed from a pair of substantially identical cap members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a service tower base installation and a protective barrier assembly; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the protective barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a base shell for the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the base shell of  FIG. 3A  generally from a 90 degree rotated position thereof; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the base shell of  FIG. 3A  generally from the opposite view thereof; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3D  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the circled portion of the base shell of  FIG. 3C ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a top perspective view of a cap for the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom perspective view of a cap for the barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is an elevational view, partly in phantom and partly in diagram form, of the service tower base installation and pre-cast barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a top plan view, partly in phantom and partly in diagram form, of the service tower base installation and pre-cast barrier assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, partly in phantom of a mounting pier, base sub-structure and a base mounting structure, for the service tower base installation and barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view, partly in phantom and partly annotated, of an installation stage for the service tower base installation and barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary sectional view, partly annotated, of the installation stage of  FIG. 7  taken along the lines of  8 - 8  thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary sectional view, partly annotated, of the installation stage of  FIG. 7  taken along the lines of  9 - 9  thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary sectional view of the installation stage of  FIG. 7  taken along the lines of  10 - 10  thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a partially exploded perspective view, partly in schematic, further illustrating an installation stage for the pre-cast barrier assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12A  is a top plan view, partly in diagram form and partly annotated, of adjacent barrier assemblies and power conduits for a parallel parking installation; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12B  is a top plan view, partly in diagram form and partly annotated, of adjacent barrier assemblies and power conduits for an angled parking installation; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view and a corresponding elevational diagram, of a pre-paving conduit and service tower base layout for multiple service tower base installations and further illustrating the subsurface installation; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of a portion of a tractor/trailer in a near impact position with a representative installed service tower and barrier assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, a barrier assembly designated generally by the numeral  10  is employed as a protective barrier and enclosure for mounting a service tower pole (partially illustrated) designated generally by the numeral  12 . A service tower base installation  20  includes the barrier assembly  10 , a support structure  14  for the utility pole  12  of the service tower and various utility line connections. The service tower base installation  20  is installed in an efficient manner to provide an installation of high structural integrity and efficient functionality. The service towers (not illustrated in detail) function to provide utility connections for tractor/trailer rigs during idle periods. The service towers (not fully illustrated) are typically located throughout large scale parking plazas at pre-established spacings D ( FIGS. 11 ,  12 A,  12 B) which are typically defined by the standard spacing for parking tractor/trailer rigs in side-by-side relationship in a large service area. 
         [0027]    A service tower mounting pier  18  is preferably constructed for each of the service tower poles at the pre-established pole spacing. The pier  18  is preferably constructed from concrete and has a lower cylindrical shape for anchoring below ground and an upper rectilinear box-like shape forming a mounting platform  28  which extends above a rectangular slab-like base  32 . Four threaded studs  29  project from the upper end of the support platform  28  and are anchored therein. A trench  22  is formed for the communication and power lines which extend through conduits  24 ,  26  leading to locations adjacent the various service tower mounting piers. The trench  22  is then filled with concrete. A barrier assembly  10 , principally of pre-cast form, is then installed above each mounting pier  18  and around and above support platform  28  and configured and positioned to provide for access to the utility lines. 
         [0028]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the protective barrier assembly  10  has a modular construction principally comprised of substantially two identical base shells  30  and two identical caps  40 . The barrier assembly  10  has a generally oval peripheral footprint at its lower support base  32  which is approximately two ft. by five ft. ( FIG. 5B ). The barrier assembly  10  presents a rugged vertical rounded enclosure approximately 52 ins. high formed by two substantially identical quasi-U-shaped shells  30 , which are pushed together to mate at opposed abutting ends  31 ,  33  in end-to-end relationship (See  FIGS. 2 and 11 ). Upon mating, the interior walls abut the sides of the concrete mounting platform  28 . The shells  30  are preferably identical, pre-cast, reinforced concrete members which may have a thickness of approximately three inches. 
         [0029]    With additional reference to  FIG. 3A through 3D , each shell  30  is a one piece integral structure with an extended side wall  34 , a rounded end wall  35  and a truncated wall  36 . The truncated wall  36  has a rectangular access opening  38  with a peripheral recess  39  which upon mating of the shells mates with an aligned recess  37  at the edge of the extended wall  34 . An access panel  41  is captured in the recess  37  and  39  to cover each access opening  38 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 3D , the lower portion of the rounded end wall  35  of the shell has a notch which is traversed by an anchored metal bar  43  to facilitate transport and installation of the shell. 
         [0031]    A pair of substantially identical caps  40  cover the shells to form an enclosure  50  for the mounting support  14  and electrical lines and components. Each cap  40  bridges between opposing shells  30 . The caps engage in mating relationship and form a substantially rectangular central opening  42  through which the service tower pole  12  may project. There is a clearance gap  48  between the edges of the opening  42  and the pole  12  to accommodate an impact displacement of the shells  30 . 
         [0032]    Each cap  40  preferably has a rectangular tie plate  44  which may be welded or otherwise attached at the cap underside. The plate  44  includes a pair of openings  45  which align with openings  47  of another identical cap  40 . The aligned openings  45 ,  47  receive fasteners  49  for securing the caps together. The peripheral underside of the cap has an integral retaining rim or skirt  46  which engages the upper side portions of the shells. The caps  40  may be also formed from metal, or similar materials. 
         [0033]    Conduits  24  and  26  project upwardly from the trench into the enclosure  50  for conveying the high voltage and low voltage lines which respectively connect with high and low power junction boxes  53  and  55 . 
         [0034]    The four pole mounting studs  29  which extend vertically from the top of the mounting platform  28  secure the pole  12 . The service tower pole  12  is bolted at its bottom to a flange of a mounting bracket  62  which closely receives the lower end of the pole. It will be appreciated that the service tower pole  12  is mounted and supported independently of the service tower barrier assembly. A high voltage transformer  64  may be mounted in the enclosure. The high voltage junction box  53  and low voltage junction box  55  are disposed at an upper location of the enclosure  50  adjacent the underside of the caps  40 . 
         [0035]    It will be appreciated that the protective barrier assembly, provides an effective means for withstanding side impact due to tractor/trailers or other vehicles hitting against the side of the barriers. With reference to  FIGS. 8-10 , prior to installation, the ends of the conduits  24 ,  26  are fitted with a cap and the pier  18  may project a few inches above the surface of the ground. During the final paving for the installation, the grade of the paving is brought substantially flush with the top of the base  32  of the barrier assembly to further lock the barrier assembly in position. 
         [0036]    The impact protection provided by the barrier assembly  10  and mounting support is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . A trailer  100  is shown adjacent the barrier assembly  10 . If the wheels  102  or bed  104  engage against the side of the barrier, in many instances, the barrier will be sufficiently rigid and anchored to withstand any impact. It will also be appreciated that the peripheral skirt or rim  46  of the cap reinforces the upper edge of the safety barrier adjacent the proximate location of the truck bed  104 . In the event that the side force against the safety barrier is sufficient to dislodge the barrier sidewise, the cap opening  42 , in many instances, is sufficiently wide so that the barrier cap does not impinge against the service tower pole  12 . Moreover, the caps  40  may deform against the pole  12  without jeopardizing the integrity of the tower pole installation. 
         [0037]    It will also be appreciated that the electrical boxes  53  and  55  are located at a height above the ground and do not require access for service into a below-ground service hole. With reference to  FIG. 13 , the power to the tower is supplied through conduits  24  and  26  which are placed in the trench and form a loop connecting pattern. Upon filling the trench with concrete, the lines are fixed in position and may be capped for non-use until the rest of the base installation is installed. 
         [0038]    While preferred embodiments have been set forth for purposes of description, the foregoing should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.