Patent Application
20200347633
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The present invention relates to stanchions or posts used in both indoor and outdoor environments. More specifically, the present invention is a stanchion including an internal weighted base with the bottom end having a center threaded hole for attachment to a circular base. The circular base would be approximately ¼ inch thick so that wheelchairs could easily ride over it if needed.
A stanchion is a sturdy upright post that provides support for various applications such as controlling the flow of people or construction related applications such as road signs. Typically these posts are of hollow tube construction so that the tops of the posts can be fitted with cassette belts, lanyards, ropes, chains or signs depending on the specific intended use of the post. Most indoor posts are mounted on a weighted base that typically consists of a disc shape weighing approximately fifteen pounds. Most outdoor posts are mounted on a tripod stand and can include a threaded center rod to anchor the post into the ground.
There are several problems with a post that is mounted on either a weighted base or a tripod stand. First, the weighted base or tripod stand is often a large diameter size such as between two and four feet, and therefore posts having weighted bases or stands take up a lot of space when they are in storage. Second, posts having either weighted bases or tripod stands tend to degrade quickly in their appearance by getting dinged or scratched from close contact with other posts while in storage in a closet, shelf or truck bed. Finally, since the weighted base or tripod stands are typically attached to the post itself using small threaded fasteners such as screws or locking pins, it is common for these threaded fasteners to become easily lost or damaged over time by dirt, debris or rust from environmental exposure at road construction sites.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,863,165B1 issued to Hongthong solves the aforementioned problems by providing a stanchion having an internal weighted base with spring loaded retractable legs that can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. Hongthong's post allows for efficient storage and allows the same number of posts to be stored in a closet or shelf instead of a larger storage room. The post is quick to setup without the need for tools. To deploy, a locking tab is rotated to allow the legs to drop out the bottom through slots at the base of the post.
Although the prior art post of Hongthong solves the aforementioned problems inherent with prior art posts, the post does not work well in situations where there is required to provide access for handicapped people using wheelchairs. In wheelchair accessible areas, the wheelchair cannot ride over the retractable legs without risking tipping over of the wheelchair. To address this deficiency, the present invention uses a low profile circular base that screws into a threaded hole located at the bottom end of the post. An internal cylindrical weight makes up for the low profile base to provide stability.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a post that has an internally contained weighted base with the bottom end having a threaded hole at the center.
A second object of the present invention to provide a low profile circular base with a center threaded portion to screw into the threaded hole at the bottom end of the weighted post.
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