Guard rail safety system

• US 20070252055A1
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integrity Worldwide Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jonny Melic
• Inventors: Melic, Jonny
• Granted Patent: US 7,510,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/200.100
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 2005/148 latticed or netted
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/3233 without permanent provision in the floor or roof

Abstract

A support post and safety fence assembly in which the post has a telescoping inner and outer tube and is supported on a threaded internal shaft coupled to a floor engaging end and ceiling engaging end preferably formed with claws that have a number of sharp penetrating points for firm engagement with a support surface. In one embodiment, a gravity lock assembly is provided for fixing the relative position of the inner and outer tubes. Dynamic adjustability of the support post is provided by internal compression springs.

Claims

1. An extendable post installable between opposed surfaces, set post having:

a first longitudinally extending tube,

a second longitudinally extending tube in sliding telescoping engagement with the first tube,

a locking mechanism having an unlocked condition permitting relative sliding movement of the first tube relative to the second tube and a locked condition preventing relative sliding movement of the first tube relative to the second tube when the first tube and the second tube are in a desired longitudinal relationship,

one of the first and second tubes having an open end which in use is adjacent one of said opposed surfaces,

a surface engaging member having a stem slidably received in said open end and projecting beyond the open end, and

a spring within said one tube and acting on the stem to resiliently urge the stem in a direction out of the open end of the tube and a retainer limiting movement of stem in said direction.

2. An extendable post according to claim 1 wherein the retainer comprises a collar secured within said one tube at a position spaced from the open end thereof, a pin passing through an aperture in the corner, said pin having a head at one end which limits movement of the pen in said direction by engagement with the collar, said pin having an opposite end secured to the stem, and the spring being a vertical compression spring surrounding the pin between the collar and the stem.

3. An extendable post according to claim 1 wherein the stem has a distinctive visual appearance compared to the visual appearance of the exterior of said one tube, whereby the amount of projection of the stem from the open end of the tube can be readily perceived.

4. An extendable post according to claim 1 wherein the surface engaging member is capable of angular movement relative to the stem.