System, Method and Apparatus for Supporting Guardrail Posts

Abstract

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for supporting guardrail posts. The system includes a foundation tube, a guardrail post partially disposed within the foundation tube, and a spacer disposed between the guardrail post and the foundation tube. The spacer has overall dimensions of approximately (a) a first dimension that is smaller than a first interior dimension of the foundation tube, (b) a second dimension that is equal to or less than a second interior dimension of the foundation tube less an exterior dimension of the guardrail post and (c) a third dimension greater than or equal to one half of the first dimension.

1 . A system comprising:
 a foundation tube;   a guardrail post partially disposed within the foundation tube; and   the spacer disposed between the guardrail post and the foundation tube and having overall dimensions of approximately (a) a first dimension that is smaller than a first interior dimension of the foundation tube, (b) a second dimension that is equal to or less than a second interior dimension of the foundation tube less an exterior dimension of the guardrail post and (c) a third dimension greater than or equal to one half of the first dimension.   
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fastener securing the guardrail post and the spacer in place within the foundation tube; and   a series of aligned apertures in the foundation tube, the guardrail post and the spacer wherein the fastener passes through the series of aligned apertures.   
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the foundation tube comprises a substantially rectangular sleeve having a cross section dimension of approximately 6 inches by 8 inches;   the guardrail post comprises a steel yielding guardrail post; and   the spacer comprises a block wherein the first dimension is approximately 5.5 inches, the second dimension is approximately 1.25 inches and the third dimension is approximately 5.5 inches.   
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is made of high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, wood, metal, elastomer, honeycomb, plastic or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the aperture in the spacer comprises a one inch diameter hole located 1.25 inches from a top of the spacer and centered from side to side. 
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is tapered, wedge-shaped, shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3A , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3B , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3C , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 13 , or shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a filler material disposed within the foundation tube and surrounding the portion of the terminal post and the spacer disposed within the foundation tube. 
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the foundation tube is integrated into a mow strip; or   the foundation tube has a cross section that is substantially circular, square, rectangular or other geometrical shape; or   the foundation tube comprises a shaft formed in rock, concrete, asphalt, compacted soil, frozen soil, rocky soil or a combination thereof.   
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the guardrail post comprises a steel yielding terminal post, a wooden guardrail post or a breakaway cable terminal post; or   the guardrail post forms part of a box-beam barrier, a cable barrier, a Thrie-beam barrier, a W-beam barrier or a combination thereof.   
   
   
       10 . A method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a guardrail post in a foundation tube; and   inserting a spacer between the guardrail post and an inner wall of the foundation tube, wherein the spacer has overall dimensions of approximately (a) a first dimension that is smaller than a first interior dimension of the foundation tube, (b) a second dimension that is equal to or less than a second interior dimension of the foundation tube less an exterior dimension of the guardrail post and (c) a third dimension greater than or equal to one half of the first dimension.   
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of securing the guardrail post and the spacer to the foundation tube using a fastener. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of adding a filler material to the foundation tube such that the portion of the guardrail post and the spacer disposed within the foundation tube are surrounded. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of providing the foundation tube. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the step of providing the foundation tube comprises the steps of:
 forming a hole to receive the foundation tube;   installing the foundation tube within the hole; and   filling any space between an exterior of the foundation tube and the hole.   
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the step of providing the foundation tube comprises the step of forming a shaft in rock, concrete, asphalt, compacted soil, frozen soil, rocky soil or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein:
 the foundation tube comprises a substantially rectangular sleeve having a cross section dimension of approximately 6 inches by 8 inches;   the guardrail post comprises a steel yielding terminal post; and   the spacer comprises a block wherein the first dimension is approximately 5.5 inches, the second dimension is approximately 1.25 inches and the third dimension is approximately 5.5 inches.   
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the spacer is made of high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, wood, metal, elastomer, honeycomb, plastic or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the spacer further comprises a one inch aperture located 1.25 inches from a top of the spacer and centered from side to side. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the spacer is tapered, wedge-shaped, shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3A , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3B , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3C , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 13 , or shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus comprising a spacer having overall dimensions of approximately (a) a first dimension that is smaller than a first interior dimension of a foundation tube, (b) a second dimension that is equal to or less than a second interior dimension of the foundation tube less an exterior dimension of a guardrail post and (c) a third dimension greater than or equal to one half of the first dimension. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising an aperture in the spacer to receive a fastener. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20 , wherein:
 the foundation tube comprises a substantially rectangular sleeve having a cross section dimension of approximately 6 inches by 8 inches;   the guardrail post comprises a steel yielding terminal post; and   the spacer comprises a block wherein the first dimension is approximately 5.5 inches, the second dimension is approximately 1.25 inches and the third dimension is approximately 5.5 inches.   
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the spacer is made of high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, wood, metal, elastomer, honeycomb, plastic or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the aperture comprises a one inch diameter hole located 1.25 inches from a top of the spacer and centered from side to side. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the spacer is tapered, wedge-shaped, shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3A , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3B , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3C , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 13 , or shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
   
   
       26 . A kit for securing a guardrail post partially disposed within a foundation tube, the kit comprising:
 a spacer having overall dimensions of approximately (a) a first dimension that is smaller than a first interior dimension of the foundation tube, (b) a second dimension that is equal to or less than a second interior dimension of the foundation tube less an exterior dimension of the guardrail post and (c) a third dimension greater than or equal to one half of the first dimension; and   a fastener to secure the guardrail post and the spacer in place within the foundation tube.   
   
   
       27 . The kit as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising an aperture within the spacer that aligns with corresponding apertures in the foundation tube and the guardrail post to receive the fastener. 
   
   
       28 . The kit as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the spacer comprises a block wherein the first dimension is approximately 5.5 inches, the second dimension is approximately 1.25 inches and the third dimension is approximately 5.5 inches. 
   
   
       29 . The kit as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the spacer is made of high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, wood, metal, elastomer, honeycomb, plastic or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       30 . The kit as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the aperture in the spacer comprises a one inch diameter hole located 1.25 inches from a top of the spacer and centered from side to side. 
   
   
       31 . The kit as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the spacer is tapered, wedge-shaped, shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3A , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3B , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 3C , shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 13 , or shaped substantially as shown in  FIG. 14 .