Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PEDESTRTAN TRAFFIC CONTROh DEVTCE
FIAVING TAPE BELOW TOP OF POST
This invention relates to pedestrian traffic control barriers
of the type including a vertical post, and a cassette mounted on
the post, the cassette incorporating a flexible tape wound on a
spool, the tape being extendable in a horizontal direction from the
post. The tape is extended by' pulling on its free end, causing the
tape to unwind from a spool within the cassette against the force
of a retractor spring tending to rotate the spool so as to rewind
the tape. The free end of the tape is attached to the upper end of
another similar post, or in some cases to a fixed bracket on a
wall, so as to establish the barrier for guiding pedestrian
traffic.
Typically, the cassette is mounted on the upper end of the
post, which is usually about forty inches tall. However, under the
Americans with Disability Act (ADA), the tape extending from the
posts of pedestrian barriers of this type must be less than twenty
seven inches from the floor. At this lower height, the tape can be
detected by the visually impaired using a cane or guide dog.
It is undesirable, however, to make the posts this short (less
than thirty inches tall) since at that height they are less
noticeable by the general public, and hence are not as effective as
a visual barrier. In addition, since signs are often mounted on
top of at least some of the posts, it is important for the posts to
be tall enough so that the signs they carry are readily observed
without the need to crouch.
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It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a
pedestrian traffic control device using relatively tall posts, but
nevertheless complying with the Americans with Disability Act.
To accomplish this objective, a post is provided which
incorporates the cassette within the post at a location spaced
below the top of the post.
Apart from the ADA, in some cases, it is desirable to provide
a cassette at the top of the post, in a conventional manner, and a
second cassette, about midway between the upper and lower ends of
the post, so that a second tape can be drawn between the two posts,
the two tapes being parallel to each other and one above the other.
Such a double-tape pedestrian barrier offers a number of
advantages, including extra security to protect restricted areas
and valuable displays, discouraging people from "ducking under" the
barrier, helping to keep children in line, and providing added
guidance for the visually impaired.
In the past, double-tape pedestrian traffic control devices
have been assembled in a number of ways. One approach has been to
employ a two-piece post so that the lower cassette can be readily
inserted into the upper end of the lower section of the post, after
which the two sections of the post are assembled and .the second
cassette mounted on the upper end of the top section of the post.
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This approach is unsatisfactory because of the extra expense
involved in time. and materials when .dealing with a two-piece post,
not to mention the unattractive appearance of a two piece post as
compared to a one-piece post.
Another method which has .been used to provide a second, lower
tape involves use of a cassette provided with a generally
semicircular bracket which fits on to the outer circular contour of
a post and is fastened to the exterior of the post. This
arrangement is unattractive because of the exposed bracket on the
exterior of the post and the fact that the cassette projects from
the post rather than being incorporated within it.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
double-tape pedestrian traffic control device employing a one-piece
post which incorporates the second, or lower, cassette within the
post.
To accomplish this objective, it was necessary to overcome
certain problems. As a preliminary matter, it should be explained
that in the traditional cassette, mounted at the upper end of the
post, tension is retained in the retractor spring even when the
tape is fully wound on the spool. The reason is that it is
desirable for the tape to be strongly and completely pulled back
into the cassette, when the barrier is being rearranged, and if
there is little or no tension in the retractor spring when the tape
is fully wound, retraction of the tape, near the end of the
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retraction movement, will be sluggish.
In.the conventional cassette mounted on the upper end of the
post, several narrow brackets parallel to the axis of the cassette
are carried by the cassette around its periphery. One of these
brackets is formed with a narrow slot through which the tape
passes. A pull is fastened to the free end of the tape, outwardly
of the bracket, the pull being grasped by the fingers of the user
in order to pull the tape from the cassette. The pull is wider
than the slot in the bracket, arid hence when the pull engages the
bracket, further rotation of the spool by the retractor spring is
terminated, even though the retractor spring remains tensioned.
It may also be mentioned that in the conventional cassette,
the upper end of the cassette is usually larger than the internal
diameter of the post. As a result, when the cassette is inserted
into the upper end of the post, the upper end of the cassette
engages the upper end of the post and limits the movement of that
cassette into the post.
Thus, in order to incorporate a cassette into an ADA compliant
post, or a second cassette into the post about midway between the
ends of the latter, the external diameter of the cassette along its
entire length must be smaller than the internal diameter of the
post. Moreover, the brackets and pull normally preassembled with
the cassette must not be present, since these elements will.prevent
insertion of the lower cassette into the post. However, upon
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removal of the brackets and pull, there is nothing to prevent
rotation of the tape spool by the retractor spring until the spring
is completely untensioned, which as mentioned above is an
undesirable circumstance.
It is, therefore, another object of the invention to provide
an ADA-compliant pedestrian barrier; or a double-tape pedestrian
traffic barrier in which a second, or lower, cassette is insertable
into a post to a point between its ends, and yet in which tension
is maintained in the retractor spring even though the tape is fully
wound, on the cassette spool.
Additional objects and features of the invention will be
apparent from the following description, in which reference is made
to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a double-tape pedestrian
traffic control device according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the upper end of a post shown in
Fig. 1 and a conventional tape~cassette mountable on the upper end
of the post;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section,
showing a post usable with the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of
Fig. 3;
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Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a cassette
according to the present invention located within a post;
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a cassette
according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lower end cap of a tape cassette,
showing the retractor spring;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a cassette according to the
present invention prior to insertion into a post;
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the tape of the lower
cassette being pulled through a slot in the post and a slot in a
bracket, prior to mounting on the post;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the bracket
mounted on the post and a pull secured to the free end of the tape;
Fig. 11 is an elevational view illustrating the assembly of
the pull with the free end of the tape;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the end of a tape
extending from one post (not shown) attached to a second post;
Fig. 13 is fragmentary perspective view illustrating an
upstanding projection on the upper end of the lower cassette and a
tool cooperabie with the projection for lowering the cassette into
a post and withdrawing the cassette from the post;
Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing an alternative
arrangement employing a clip; and
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Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an ADA-compliant pedestrian
traffic control device according to the present invention.
l1 double-tape pedestrian traffic control device chosen to
illustrate the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. The device
includes two, spaced-apart upright posts 20 and 21, each mounted on
a supporting base 22. Each post 20 and 21 is hollow for all or
most of its length. A tape-containing cassette 23 is accommodated
within the open upper end of past 20, and a similar tape containing
cassette 24 is accommodated within the open upper end of post 21.
As will be described more fully below, each cassette 23 is
provided with four axially-extending exterior brackets 25 (only
three such brackets being shown in Fig. 1), each bracket being
formed with parallel undercut grooves along its sides. Similarly,
cassette 24 is provided with four brackets 26.
A flexible tape 27, made of any suitable material such as
woven fabric, is shown extending from cassette 23 to post 21, at
which point a pull 28 attached to the free end of tape 27 is
secured to one of the brackets 26 of cassette 24. The pull is
formed with undercut ridges which slidingly cooperate with the
grooves in bracket 26 to secure the end of tape 27 to cassette 24,
and thus prevent tape 27 from being rewound into cassette 23.
A fragment of tape 29 is shown extended from cassette' 24
toward another upright post (not shown) so as to continue the
traffic control barrier. Similarly, a fragment of tape 30 is shown
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extending to post 20 from a previous post (not shown) in the series
of posts, a pull 31 at the end of tape 3D securing the tape to post
20. ~ls many posts as necessary are employed to provide the
required length of barrier. As thus far described, the traffic
control device is conventional.
According to the present invention, a second cassette (not
shown) is locatedywithin post 20 at a selected level beneath the
top of the post, such as about midway between the upper and lower
ends of the post. At this point, the post is, provided with a slot,
and tape 32 is shown extending from the second, or lower, cassette
to post 21. At this point, a pull 33 carried by the free end of
tape 32 is used to secure the free end of the tape to the bracket
of a lower cassette (not shown) mounted within post 21. A fragment
of tape 39 is shown extending from the lower cassette in post 21
toward another post (not shown). Also; a fragment of a tape 35 is
shown, this tape extending from the lower cassette of a previous
post (not shown) in the series of posts, the pull 36 at the end of
tape 35 securing the tape to post 20.
Fig 2. illustrates the conventional structure of the upper end
of a post, such as post 20; and the conventional upper cassette 23
adapted to be accommodated within the upper end of the post. The
upper end of post 20 is formed with four vertical slots 39 formed
in the post at 90° intervals. Cassette 23 comprises upper end cap
40 and lower end cap 41 which rotatably support between them a
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spool (not shown) upon which tape 27 is wound. Within end cap 41
is a spiral retractor spring (not,shown) tending to rotate the
spool in a direction which winds tape 27 on to the spool. End caps
40 and 41 are held together by four brackets 25, spaced at 90°
intervals around the cassette, one of the brackets 25a being formed
with a narrow slot which permits tape 27 to freely pass through it.
Each bracket 25 is formed with two parallel undercut grooves 42.
The free end of tape 27 carries a pull 28 which, because of its
size, cannot fit through the slot in bracket 25a. In this way, the
retractor spring~is prevented from completely winding the free end
of tape 27 on to the spool: The end face 28a of pull 28 is formed
with an undercut groove which can slidably cooperate with a bracket
26 (Fig. 1) so as to secure the pull and the free end of gape 27 to
another post, e.g., post 2l.
Cassette 23 is assembled with the upper end of post 20 by
sliding the cassette downwardly into the post, brackets 25 being
accommodated by slots 39. Movement of the cassette into the post
continues until. the enlarged diameter top 40a of 'end cap 40 engages
the upper edge 20a of post 20; thereby limiting further movement of
cassette 23 into the post. Conventionally, screws are then fitted
through holes 43 at the lower ends of brackets 25 and threaded into
holes 44 in the post just beneath slots 39.
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According to the present invention, as illustrated in ,Figs. 3
and 4, each post, e.g., 20, of the pedestrian traffic control
device is formed with a slot 47 intermediate the upper and lower
ends of the post, and preferably about midway between those two
ends. Post 20 may be formed with four slots 47, each vertically
aligned with one of the slots 39 in the post. Typically, post 20
is closed at its lower end by a wall 48 containing an internally
threaded hole 49 which accommodates a threaded stud projecting
upwardly from a base 22 (Fig. 1). It is convenient to provide
means for supporting the lower cassette within post 20 at the level
of slots 47 until the cassette can be securely fastened in place.
One way of achieving this result is to provide a tube 50 (Figs. 3-
5), which is dropped into tube 20 and rests upon bottom wall 48.
The tube may be formed of any suitable rigid material, such as a
plastic or fibrous material, and has a length such that its upper
end is located at about or just below the level of the lower end of
slots 47.
A lower cassette 53, according to the present invention, is
shown in more detail in Figs. 5-8. The cassette includes upper and
lower end caps 54 and 55, the lower end cap containing a spiral
retractor spring 56 and having a cover 55a for enclosing the spring
within the lower end cap. A spool 57 is rotatably supported
between the end caps, the lower end 57a of the spool fitting
snugly, but rotatably, through a hole 58 in cover 55a. The lower
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end 57a of the spool has a diametrical slot which accommodates the
end 56a of spring 56. By virtue of this interconnection of spool
and spring, when the spring 56 is tensioned, it tends to rotate the
spool in a direction which winds tape 37 on to the spool. Lower
end cap 55 has four threaded holes 59; used after the cassette is
assembled with tube 20. The upper and lower end caps 54 and 55,
and hence the entire lower cassette assembly, are held together by
at least one brace 60, formed of a suitable material such as sheet
metal., the upper and lower ends of brace 60 attaching to the upper
and lower end caps 54 and 55, respectively. Preferably, two such
braces 60 are employed at approximately diametrically opposed
locations around the cassette. The free end of 37a of the tape is
turned back upon itself, and stitched at 61 to form a channel 62
used to cooperate with pull 33, as will be described in more detail
with reference to.Fig. 11.
The second or lower cassette 53 (Figs: 5-8) differs from the
first or upper cassette 23 (Fig. 2) in a number of significant
respects. In general, cassette 53 has an outer diameter, along its
entire axial length, which is smaller tham the internal diameter of
post 20. Thus, for example, upper end cap 54 does not have an
enlarged diameter top, such as the enlarged top 40a of cassette 23.
Therefore, no part of the upper end cap engages the top edge 20a of
post 20 to limit movement of cassette 53 into the post:
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In addition, end caps 54 and 55 of cassette 53 are not
preassembled with brackets 25, which normally interconnect end caps
40 and 41 of cassette 23 and hold the cassette together as a unit.
Instead, cas ette 53 employs thin braces 60 to hold the cassette
assembly together, and the braces 60 do not project outwardly
beyond the generally cylindrical contour of the cassette.
Moreover, in the case of upper cassette 23, pull 28 is
preassembled with the free end of tape 27, and therefore the pull
serves the purpose of limiting the rewinding movement of the tape
on to the spool by engagement of pull 28 with bracket 25a. Tn this
way, tension is maintained in the retractor spring even when the
tape is substantially fully wound on the spool.
In the case of cassette 53, pull 33 cannot be preassembled
with the free end 37a of tape 37, since presence of the pull would
prevent insertion of cassette 53 into tube 20 to its desired
location at the level of slots 47. Therefore, the present
invention provides other means, as illustrated in Fig. 8, for
maintaining tension in retractor spring 56 when tape 37 is
substantially completely wound on the spool.
Fig. 8 illustrates one way, according to the invention, of
maintaining some tension in the retractor spring when the tape is
substantially fully wound on the spool. At least one of the braces
60 is provided with a slot 65 near one of its longitudinal edges so
as to define an axially--extending narrow finger 66. Free end 37a
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of tape 37 is slipped over the finger so that finger 66 is
accommodated within channel 62.
In this condition (Fig. 8), cassette 53 is inserted into post
20 and comes to rest on the upper edge of tube 50. Free end 37a of
tape 37 is slipped off finger 66, this being possible because the
finger is flexible, and the tape free.end is manipulated through
one of the slots 47 in post 20 (Figs. 9 and 10). The free end 37a
of tape 37 is then slipped through a slot in a bracket 67a, similar
to the bracket 25a of cassette 23, after which pull 33 is attached
to the free end of the tape (Fig.lO). Then, each bracket 67 is
secured in place by a screw 70 (Fig. 5) which passes~through a hole
68 in the bracket, a hole 69 in the post, and is threaded into a
hole 59 in the lower end cap 55 of cassette 53. In this way, the
brackets securely hold cassette 53 within post 20.
As shown in Fig. 11, pull 33 may be secured to the free end
37a of tape 37 in a conventional manner. The free end of the tape
is inserted into a hollowed-out portion of pull 33, after which a
pin 73 is inserted into channel 62 at the free end of the tape
until the head 74 of the pin snaps into a receptacle 75 in the
pull.
It is thought desirable to provide an aid for inserting the
lower cassette into post 2O and lifting it out of thepost, should
it need replacement or repair. For this purpose, as shown in Fig.
13, the top wall 54' of lower cassette 53' may be~formed with a T-
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shaped projection 78. A tool is provided comprising a rod 79
having a handle 80 at one end and a fitting 81 at its other end
having a T-shaped slot. When needed, the upper cassette is removed
from the post, rod 79 is roserted into the post, using handle 80,
and fitting 81 is slipped over projection 78, so that the tool can
then be used to lift cassette 53' out of the post. To insert a new
cassette into the post, the procedure described above is reversed.
Fig. 14 illustrates an alternative way of preserving tension
in the retractor spring prior to and during insertion of lower
cassette 53" into tube 20. In this case, brace 60" is not formed
with a finger 66. Instead, a generally oval clip 83 is provided,
the clip having overlapped end regions 83a and 83b. One end region
83a is inserted into channel 62" at the free end of tape 37". The
end region 83b of clip 83 is fitted over an edge of brace 60" so as
to lock the free end of tape 37" to brace 60".
After cassette 53" has been located within post 20, clip 83 is
disengaged from brace 60" and pulled through one of the slots 47 in
the post, bringing the free end of tape 37" with it. Then, as
described above, bracket 67a and pull 33 are assembled with the
tape.
Thus, it will be appreciated that the present invention
provides a double-tape pedestrian traffic control device which
utilizes a one piece post, and yet provides far the second or lower
cassette being wholly accommodated within the post.
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A pedestrian traffic control device which complies with the
Americans with Disability Act is illustrated in Fig. 15. In this
embodiment, two spaced-apart upright posts 120 and 121 are mounted
on support bases 122. The posts are comparable to posts.20 and 21
described above, although they may be slightly shorter, say,
thirty-six inches high. The posts are initially open at their
upper ends, but in use are closed by caps 123 and 124 and do not
accommodate cassettes similar to cassettes 23 and 24 within their
uper ends.
A cassette (not shown), corresponding in all respects to
cassette 53 described above, is carried within each post 120 and
121, each cassette being located below the top of its perspective
post.
At this point, each post is provided with a slot, and tape 132
is shown extending from the cassette in post 120 to post 121. At
this point, a pull 133 carried by the free end of tape 132 is used
to secure the free end of the tape to the bracket of a cassette
(not shown) mounted within post 121. A fragment of tape 134 is
shown extending from the cassette in post 121 toward another post
(not shown). Also, a fragment of a tape 135 is shown, this tape
extending from the cassette of a previous post (not shown) in the
series of posts, the pull 136 at the end of tape 135 securing the
tape to post 120.
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The cassettes are so arranged within the posts that the lower
edges of tapes 132, 134, and 135 are located less than twenty seven
inches above the floor supporting bases 122. The cassettes,
associated brackets and hardware, and slots in the posts, may all
be as described above with respect to cassette 53. Moreover, if
desired,,a tube corresponding to tube 50 may be employed while
assembling each cassette with its respective post. In all
respects, the assembly of the cassette within each post 120 and 121
is accomplished as described above in connection with the assembly
of cassette 53 within post 20.
If desired, a sign holder 190 may be mounted on the top of
selected posts, e.g., post 120, the holder carrying a sign 191
giving pedestrians appropriate information such as "Enter Here".
The invention has been shown and described in preferred form
only, and by gray of example, and many variations may be made in the
invention which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is
understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any
specific form ar embodiment except insofar as such limitations are
included in the appended claims.
