PIVOT UNIT FOR BARRIER DEVICES

Abstract

This invention is directed to a pivot unit for use with barrier devices which may be connected end-to-end to form a barrier wall. The pivot unit comprises first and second end connectors, each of which may be coupled to the end of one barrier device, and a hinge post extending between the end connectors. The hinge post is mounted by a pin to each end connector allowing pivotal motion of one end connector, and the barrier device to which it is coupled, through an angle of at least 90° relative to the other end connector and its associated barrier device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two barrier devices connected by the pivot unit of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of one end connector and the hinge post of the pivot unit herein;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 in the assembled position; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the pivot unit connected to two barrier devices.

Claims

1. A pivot unit for connecting adjacent barrier devices, comprising: a first end connector adapted to be coupled to one end of a first barrier device and a second end connector adapted to be coupled to one end of a second barrier device, each of said first and second end connectors being formed with a seat having at least one bore;a hinge post having opposed sides each formed with at least one bore, one side of said hinge post being received within said seat of said first end connector so that said at least one bore of said one side of said hinge post aligns with said at least one bore of said seat, said other side of said one side of said hinge post being received within said seat of said second end connector so that said at least one bore of said other side of said hinge post aligns with said at least one bore of said seat; anda first hinge pin insertable into said aligning bores of said one side of said hinge post and said seat of said first end connector, and a second hinge pin insertable into said aligning bores of said other side of said hinge post and said seat of said second end connector.

2. The pivot unit of claim 1 in which said seat of each of said first and second end connectors includes and upper plate formed with an upper bore and a spaced, lower plate formed with a lower bore which aligns with said upper bore.

3. The pivot unit of claim 2 in which said hinge post includes a head section, a base section and a stem section connected between said head section and said base section, a portion of each of said head and base sections protruding outwardly from said stem section on both sides thereof, said protruding portions on both sides of said stem section being formed with aligning bores.

4. The pivot unit of claim 3 in which said protruding portions of each of said head section and base section on said one side of said stem section of said hinge post are positioned adjacent one of said upper and lower plates forming said seat of said first end connector, said aligning bores of said protruding portions aligning with said upper and lower bores of said seat.

5. The pivot unit of claim 4 in which said protruding portions of each of said head section and base section on said other side of said stem section of said hinge post are positioned adjacent one of said upper and lower plates forming said seat of said second end connector, said aligning bores of said protruding portions aligning with said upper and lower bores of said seat.

6. The pivot unit of claim 1 in which said hinge post and said first and second end connectors permit at least 90° of articulation of one barrier device relative to an adjacent barrier device.

7. The pivot unit of claim 1 in which said hinge post is formed within a central bore which terminates within a post boot, said central bore being adapted to receive a post, sign or the like.

8. An articulating barrier wall, comprising: a number of barrier devices coupled end-to-end, at least one first barrier device and at least one second barrier device each being formed with a slot;a pivot unit connected between said at least one first barrier device and said at least one second barrier device, said pivot unit comprising: (i) a first end connector and a second end connector each formed with a seat having at least one bore, each of said first and second end connectors being formed with a slot;(ii) a hinge post having opposed sides each formed with at least one bore, one side of said hinge post being received within said seat of said first end connector so that said at least one bore of said one side of said hinge post aligns with said at least one bore of said seat, said other side of said hinge post being received within said seat of said second end connector so that said at least one bore of said other side of said hinge post aligns with said at least one bore of said seat;(iii) a first hinge pin insertable into said aligning bores of said one side of said hinge post and said seat of said first end connector, and a second hinge pin insertable into said aligning bores of said other side of said hinge post and said seat of said second end connector.said first end connector abutting said at least one first barrier device so that said slot of said first end connector aligns with said slot in said first barrier device to form a locking channel, and said second end connector abutting said at least one second barrier device so that said slot of said second end connector aligns with said slot in said second barrier device to form a locking channel;a first coupler insertable within said locking channel formed by said first end connector and said at least one first barrier device, and a second coupler insertable within said locking channel formed by said second end connector and said at least one second barrier device.

9. The articulating barrier wall of claim 8 in which one of said at least one first and second barrier devices is formed with an extension, and the other of said at least one first and second barrier devices is formed with a recess.

10. The articulating barrier wall of claim 9 in which one of said first and second end connectors is formed with an extension and the other of said first and second end connectors is formed with a recess, said extension of one of said first and second end connectors being insertable within said cavity of one of said at least one first and second barrier devices and said extension of said at least one first and second barrier devices being insertable within said cavity of said other of said first and second end connectors.

11. The articulating barrier wall of claim 8 in which said seat of each of said first and second end connectors includes and upper plate formed with an upper bore and a spaced, lower plate formed with a lower bore which aligns with said upper bore.

12. The articulating barrier wall of claim 11 in which said hinge post includes a head section, a base section and a stem section connected between said head section and said base section, a portion of each of said head and base sections protruding outwardly from said stem section on both sides thereof, said protruding portions on both sides of said stem section being formed with aligning bores.

13. The articulating barrier wall of claim 12 in which said protruding portions of each of said head section and base section on one side of said stem section of said hinge post are positioned adjacent one of said upper and lower plates forming said seat of said first end connector, said aligning bores of said protruding portions aligning with said upper and lower bores of said seat.

14. The articulating barrier wall of claim 13 in which said protruding portions of each of said head section and base section on the other side of said stem section of said hinge post are positioned adjacent one of said upper and lower plates forming said seat of said second end connector, said aligning bores of said protruding portions aligning with said upper and lower bores of said seat.

15. The articulating barrier wall of claim 8 in which said hinge post and said first and second end connectors permits at least 90° of articulation of said at least one first barrier device relative to said at least one second barrier device.

16. The articulating barrier wall of claim 8 in which said hinge post is formed within a central bore which terminates within a post boot, said central bore being adapted to receive a post, sign or the like.