Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a cable system for constructing a barricade above a support surface. According to the preferred embodiment, the cable system employs a plurality of hollow posts, each of which is uniquely constructed for placement within the support and including cable receivers whereby a plurality of cables may be attached in interconnecting relation with other posts in the system to form an extremely strong barrier. While the preferred embodiment is hereinafter disclosed and described with regard to its use along a highway right of way, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby, for the cable system of this invention could be adapted for a wide variety of uses in constructing and erecting barricades. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   It is certainly old and well known to erect some form of barricade along a highway&#39;s right of way for the purpose of preventing a vehicle from leaving the road. 
   Frequently, such barricades are also erected in the median between multi-lane highways. Such barricades typically comprise a plurality of posts set in spaced apart relation to each other with wood or metal rails extending between the posts, and, in some installations, cables extend between the posts in combination with, or instead of, rails. Prior art also discloses the use of spring-biased posts so that they will bend or give upon impact, rather than breaking. 
   The prior art also teaches that it is relatively common to provide additional securement for the end posts, in order to strengthen the barricade further. The end securement frequently takes the form of two rods and a turnbuckle, with one rod segment fixed to the post and a second segment, at the other side of the turnbuckle, buried in the support surface. Still other examples known in the prior art employ hollow rails between the posts, with cables threaded through the hollow portion of each rail. 
   Notwithstanding the existence of a great variety of such barricade structures, both the installation and maintenance of prior art devices are quite cumbersome and expensive. In addition, both federal and state authorities have established testing procedures which must be passed in order for a barricade system to be installed along federal and/or state highways. As the permitted weight and speed of vehicles have increased, so have the safety standards required of barricade systems. Frankly, whether or not many of the barricade systems disclosed in existing patent literature could effectively and economically satisfy today&#39;s standards is an issue of real concern. 
   It is therefore clear that there remains a need for a barricade system that is acceptable not only for highway right of way use, but also that could be adapted for additional barricade purposes. Unfortunately, this is particularly true in today&#39;s age of heightened security where the threat of a vehicle&#39;s breaking through a security barricade is a real and present threat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a cable system for constructing a barricade above a support surface. The cable system of this preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of hollow posts that are preferably formed from steel. According to the preferred embodiment, each of the posts is formed of one half inch steel and is about 10 inches square and 152 inches long. The post is open from its top edge to its bottom edge and a series of cable apertures are formed through opposed sides of each post for the purpose of inserting cables therethrough. Fixed at the bottom of each post is a base plate, preferably formed from a one inch thick plate of steel that is about 12 inches wide, front to back and about 20 inches wide side to side. A plate is affixed to the bottom edge of each post such that its major dimension (width) extends outwardly from the sides of the post wherein the cable apertures have been formed. 
   An eye bolt is fixed to each plate with the eye extending upwardly from the plate in substantially parallel relation to the left and right side of each post. Fixed to each of the eyes, on opposite sides of each post, is a cable receiver, or clevis, into which one end of a cable will be fixed and retained as more fully described below. 
   One end of each clevis is attached to a corresponding eye of each eye bolt, and the free end of each clevis is positioned in communicating relation with a corresponding one of a pair of lower cable apertures formed through opposed side walls of each post. 
   Still with regard to a preferred embodiment for this invention, each post is set into a hole provided in the support surface, using standard steel reinforcing according to known construction techniques, with a first pour of concrete that extends upwardly in surrounding relation to the base plate and lower segment of each post up to, but below, the eye of the opposed eye bolts associated with each posts. After this initial concrete pour has been made, the two cable retainers, or clevises, may be attached to respective eyes, and installation of cables may commence. In this regard, it should be further noted that according to a preferred construction hereinafter described in greater detail, this cable system includes a series of seven, longitudinally spaced, posts. Obviously, two of the posts would be at the end of the segment, with five intermediate posts. 
   Each of the posts of this preferred cable system further comprise two additional opposed pairs of cable apertures formed through opposed left and right sides of each post. A pair of middle cable apertures are formed upwardly from the lower cable apertures about 90 inches from the bottom edge of each post. An opposed pair of upper cable apertures are similarly formed about 108 inches above the bottom edge of each post. According to the preferred construction, all three opposed pairs of cable apertures define a substantially teardrop perimeter with the smaller radius of the middle and upper cable apertures being disposed toward the bottom edge of the post, and the smaller radius of the lower cable apertures being disposed toward the top edge of each post. For the purpose of guiding and retaining cables that are ultimately passed through each of the three pairs of cable apertures, a substantially U-shaped saddle is placed transversely through each aperture at the apex of the smaller radius. While the use of saddles at the lower cable apertures may not be necessary, their use at both the middle and upper apertures is preferred. 
   Once the seven posts have been set, as described above with regard to the first concrete pour, cable segments are attached to the post in a preferred, predetermined arrangement. This preferred arrangement is disclosed in detail hereinafter, but it is to be emphasized that the arrangement of cables from post to post provided in the detail description of a preferred embodiment is not intended as a limiting factor to the scope of this invention. Alternative arrangements for the cable segments could be accomplished while still falling within the scope of the present invention. The preferred cable is steel of about one inch diameter, though other sizes may be used in other embodiments. 
   Once the various cable segments have been attached from post to post, the preferred embodiment further contemplates disposing one of a plurality of cover plates around each of the cable apertures in order to close each aperture, at least substantially, but not necessarily completely. After the cover plates have been attached by any suitable means such as, for example, bolts, brackets, or welding, a second concrete pour is made to fill each of the post holds, and concrete is poured into the hollow defined by the sides of each post. Therefore, cable segments that actually pass into and through the hollow of each post are further strengthened by the concrete placed there around. 
   A cable system constructed and erected in accord with this preferred embodiment has been tested and shown to meet appropriate standards. 
   The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacturer possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the preferred article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation of an installation of a preferred embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial detail of the installation depicted in the view of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is as side elevation of a preferred embodiment of one post. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation of the post shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevation, partially in section, of a preferred installation of the cable system of this invention illustrating a preferred cable arrangement for seven posts. 
       FIG. 6  is a detail partial elevation showing placement of a single preferred post in the support surface, with the post partially in section. 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 6  showing the first concrete pour. 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8  showing cable attachment after the first concrete pour. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the post shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the post shown in  FIG. 10 , partially in section, after the final concrete pour. 
   

   Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following detailed description it is to be noted that a preferred system and a preferred post construction are described. This description of preferred embodiments is made for the purpose of providing the inventors&#39; present best mode for practicing the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the claims. It is also to be understood that terminology used in describing the preferred embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting fashion. 
   The views of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  illustrate a preferred cable system of this invention, generally indicated as  20 . As best seen in the views of  FIGS. 1 and 5 , preferred cable system  20  comprises a series of seven posts, with the end posts generally indicated at  22  and  24 , and the five intermediate posts generally indicated as  26 . The views of  FIGS. 1 and 2  further illustrate the use of upper cables and lower cables, generally indicated as  28  and  30 , respectively. Finally,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show placement of cable system  20  into and above a support surface generally indicated as  32 . While end posts  22  and  24  are generally indicated by reference numerals different from the designation of intermediate posts  26 , the following detailed description will make clear that the structure of all posts  24 ,  26  and  28 , is identical. As indicated by arrows A in the view of  FIG. 1 , a preferred spacing between each of the posts  22 ,  24  and  26  is about 32 feet 6 inches, but this spacing is not a limiting factor to the scope of the present invention. 
   Inviting attention to the views of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 - 11 , a preferred construction for one of the posts  26  is provided. In accord with the preferred embodiment, post  26  is preferably formed from one half inch thick steel, defines a length of about 152 inches, and comprises a front side  34 , a rear side  36 , a left side  38 , and a right side  40 . The length of post  26  is defined by the distance between top edge  42  and bottom edge  44 . Each of the sides is about 10 inches in width, and the interior of post  26  is hollow. 
   A base plate  46  is attached across bottom edge  44  of post  26 , preferably by welding. According to this preferred embodiment, base plate  46  is formed of one inch thick steel and is sized to extend outwardly from left side  38  and right side  40  of each of the posts  26 . Therefore, base place  46  effectively closes the hollow interior of post  26  at bottom edge  44 . An eye bolt  48  is attached to base plate  46  at first end  50  and extends upwardly from base plate  46 , terminating in a distal end comprising an eye  52 . As clearly seen in the views of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , one eye bolt  48  is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced apart relation to left side  38 , and another eye bolt  48  is similarly placed along right side  40 . While this preferred embodiment illustrates the attachment of first end  50  to base plate  46  by nuts, alternative attachments may be provided. 
   Referring next to the views of  FIGS. 4 and 9 , it can be seen that a cable receiver, or clevis,  54  is attached at its first end  56  to each of the eyes  52 . Second end  58  of each cable receiver  54  receives and retains an end of one of the cables  28 ,  30 , as more fully set forth hereinafter. 
   The views of  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the placement of a plurality of cable apertures in spaced apart relation along the length of post left side  38  and post right side  40 . All of the cable apertures preferably define a teardrop perimeter. As best seen in the views of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a pair of opposed lower cable apertures  60  are formed in opposed relation to each other, one on left side  38  and the other on right side  40 . It can also be seen that lower cable apertures  60  are in communicating relation with second end  58  of a cable receiver  54 . It can also be seen that the smaller radius of the perimeter is oriented upwardly, in the direction of top edge  42 . Each of the posts  26  further comprise a pair of opposed middle cable apertures  62  with one of the middle cable apertures  62  being formed through left side  38  and the other of said middle cable aperture  62  being formed in opposed relation thereto through right side  40 . As best seen in the view of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the smaller radius of middle cable aperture  62  is oriented downwardly, toward bottom edge  44 . Referring to the views of  FIGS. 3-5 , one can see that this preferred embodiment further comprises an opposed pair of upper cable apertures  64 . Referring to the views of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it can be seen that each of the middle cable apertures  62  preferably comprises a cable guide, or saddle,  66  disposed in substantially transverse relation to left side  38  and right side  40  at the smaller radius of each of the middle cable aperture  62 . Cable guides  66  may also be provided for each of the upper cable apertures  64  as shown in the view of  FIG. 5 . However, it is to be understood that the use of cable guides  66 , while preferred for middle cable aperture  62  and upper cable apertures  64 , is not required for successful installation and use of cable system  20 . Cable guide  66  are substantially U-shaped, formed of steel, and may be attached to the smaller radius of middle cable aperture  62  and upper cable apertures  64  by any suitable means, preferably by welding. 
   As shown in the views of  FIGS. 6-11 , each of the posts  22 ,  24  and  26 , is mounted in support surface  32  according to standard construction techniques. A hole  68  is prepared, and reinforcing mesh  70  is inserted in substantially surrounding relation to the post  26 , extending above each of the eyes  52 . When post  26  has been placed in hole  68  as shown in the view of  FIG. 6 , a first concrete pour  72  is made as shown in the view of  FIG. 8 , and each of the posts is allowed to set in first concrete pour  72 . Next, the cable receivers  54  are attached to corresponding eyes  50  as shown in the view of  FIG. 9  for the attachment of upper cables  28  and lower cables  30 . While only lower cables  30  are shown in FIGS.  6  and  8 - 11 , the attachment and placement of upper cables  28  is clearly shown in the view of  FIG. 5 , according to this preferred embodiment. 
   The view of  FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred arrangement for attaching upper cables  28  and lower cables  30  in the installation of this preferred cable system  20 . As clearly shown in the view of  FIG. 5 , one of the lower cables  30  in end post  22  and in end post  24  is attached to a cable receiver  54  in a next adjacent post  26 . Still with regard to end posts  22  and  24 , their upper cables  28  extend upwardly, through an upper cable aperture  64 , passing completely through both upper cable apertures  64  of an adjacent post  26 , and then into an upper cable aperture  64  of the next post  26 , and downwardly to one of the cable receivers  54  in that third post  26 . It is only from the end posts  22  and  24  that a lower cable  30  is attached to an immediately adjacent post  26 . In all other instances, as depicted in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5 , upper cables  28  and lower cables  30  extend from one post, through an intermediate post, and are attached to what may be termed a third post. It should also be noted that in this preferred arrangement, shown in  FIG. 5 , when a cable is attached to a cable receiver  54  associated with left side  38  of the post, the terminal end of that cable is associated and received by a cable receiver  54  disposed adjacent right side  40  of its post. Therefore, upper cables  28  and lower cables  30  “cross” inside the hollow of each of the posts, resulting in stronger fixation once the final concrete pour has been made. 
   Returning to the views of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , after upper cables  28  and lower cables  30  have been attached as described above, a cover plate  74  is preferably disposed in substantially surrounding, enclosing relation to each of the cable apertures,  60 ,  62  and  64 . The cables  28  and  30  are tensioned to substantially eliminate any sagging, and a second concrete pour  76  is made, as shown in the view of  FIG. 11 . Finally, a post concrete pour  78  is made to substantially fill the hollow void defined by each of the posts  22 ,  24  and  26 . Once all of the concrete has secured, the preferred cable system  20  is complete. 
   It will thus be seen that the object set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description of a preferred embodiment, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described in a preferred embodiment, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. 
   Now that the invention has been described,

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