Base and post stabilization system

Abstract

A crowd control stanchion has a base and a post configured to be joined to the base. An insert is used to selectively couple the base and the post in a secure manner, the insert being secured to the base and disposed within the post. The insert has an upper portion that is selectively moveable relative to a lower portion. When the portions are manipulated, they apply radial pressure on the inside wall of the post. Such radial pressure increases the static friction between the insert and the post, thus reducing the probability that the post will move either vertically or rotationally relative to the base.

1 . A crowd control stanchion, comprising: 
 a base;    an elongated post having a hollow bottom portion and being selectively coupled to said base; and    an insert selectively coupling the base to the post, said insert including a lower portion having a top surface and an upper portion having a bottom surface, wherein: 
 said upper portion is disposed within the hollow bottom portion of the post;  
 said lower portion is removably connected to the base;  
 said top and bottom surfaces are inclined at complementary angles so as to mate with one another; and  
 said upper portion is selectively moveable radially outward relative to the lower portion, so as to exert radial pressure on the inside wall of the post.  
   
   
   
       2 . The stanchion of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a generally arcuate shape and defines a first axial opening through an upper surface thereof, said axial opening being configured to receive said lower portion of the insert.  
   
   
       3 . The stanchion of  claim 2 , wherein said lower portion is partially threaded and said first axial opening has a threaded wall configured to mate with the threaded lower portion of the insert.  
   
   
       4 . The stanchion of  claim 3 , further including a bolting mechanism, wherein: 
 said lower portion of the insert has a first threaded shaft that extends through the length of the lower portion and is offset from a longitudinal axis of said lower portion;    said upper portion of said insert has a second threaded shaft that extends at least partially through the length of the upper portion and is offset from a longitudinal axis of said upper portion; and    the bolting mechanism selectively engages the first and second threaded shafts such that, when fully engaged, the upper portion is radially offset with respect to the lower portion.    
   
   
       5 . The stanchion of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the first axial opening extends downwardly partially through the base; and    an underside of the base defines a second axial opening therethrough, said second axial opening being smaller in diameter than the first axial opening, extending upwardly so as to be in communication with the first axial opening, and configured to accept the bolting mechanism.    
   
   
       6 . The stanchion of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is generally cylindrical and the post is generally elongated and cylindrical.  
   
   
       7 . The stanchion of  claim 1 , wherein the post further includes means for dispensing a retractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a system of joined stanchions.  
   
   
       8 . A crowd control device, comprising: 
 a base defining a first axial opening on a top surface of the base that extends therethrough;    an elongated, generally cylindrical post having a hollow bottom portion, said post being coupled to the base;    a bolting mechanism; and    a generally cylindrical insert selectively coupling the base to the post, said insert including a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein: 
 said upper portion is disposed within said hollow bottom portion of the post;  
 said lower portion is removably connected to the base and at least partially disposed within the first axial opening of the base, said lower portion defining a second axial opening configured to engage with the bolting mechanism and extending through both the lower portion and at least partially through the upper portion of the insert; and  
 said lower portion and upper portion are movable with respect to one another such that, when the bolting mechanism and the second axial opening are fully engaged, the upper portion is radially offset from the lower portion, thereby exerting radial pressure upon an inside wall of the post.  
   
   
   
       9 . The crowd control device of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the lower portion has a top surface and the upper portion has a bottom surface, said top and bottom surfaces being inclined at complementary angles so as to mate with one another.    
   
   
       10 . The crowd control device of  claim 8 , wherein the lower portion of the insert is threaded, and the first axial opening has a threaded wall configured to mate with the lower portion of the insert.  
   
   
       11 . The crowd control device of  claim 8 , wherein the post further includes means for dispensing a retractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a system of joined stanchions.  
   
   
       12 . In a crowd control stanchion system having a base, a vertical post releasably coupled to the base, and means for dispensing a retractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a system of joined stanchions, the improvement comprising: 
 an insert for selectively coupling the base to the post, wherein the insert is removably coupled to the base and disposed within the post, said insert having an upper portion that is selectively moveable relative to a lower portion so as to exert radial pressure to an inside wall of the post.    
   
   
       13 . The crowd control stanchion system of  claim 12  further including a bolting mechanism, wherein: 
 said lower portion of the insert has a first threaded shaft that extends through the length of the lower portion and is offset from a longitudinal axis of said lower portion;    said upper portion of said insert has a second threaded shaft that extends at least partially through the length of the upper portion and is offset from a longitudinal axis of said upper portion; and    the bolting mechanism selectively engages the first and second threaded shafts such that, when fully engaged, the upper portion is radially offset with respect to the lower portion.    
   
   
       14 - 25 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A crowd control stanchion, comprising: 
 a base;    an elongated post having a hollow bottom portion and being selectively coupled to said base; and    an insert selectively coupling the base to the post, said insert including a lower portion having a top surface and an upper portion having a bottom surface, wherein: 
 said upper portion is disposed within the hollow bottom portion of the post;  
 said lower portion is permanently connected to the base;  
 said top and bottom surfaces are inclined at complementary angles so as to mate with one another; and  
 said upper portion is selectively moveable radially outward relative to the lower portion, so as to exert radial pressure on the inside wall of the post.  
   
   
   
       27 . The stanchion of  claim 26 , wherein the base is flat.  
   
   
       28 . The stanchion of  claim 26 , wherein the base is sloped.  
   
   
       29 . The stanchion of  claim 26 , wherein the base is generally arcuate.  
   
   
       30 . The stanchion of  claim 26 , further including a means for attaching a rope for joining a plurality of stanchions.  
   
   
       31 . The stanchion of  claim 26  further including a means for attaching rigid railing for joining a plurality of stanchions.  
   
   
       32 . The stanchion of  claim 26 , wherein the post further includes means for dispensing a retractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a system of joined stanchions.  
   
   
       33 .- 39 . (Canceled)