Barrier System and Barrier System Installation Method

Abstract

A barrier system may include an impact receiving post having a solid cross section. The impact receiving post may be bendable and may have a proximal end and a distal end. A foundation cage may be coupled to the proximal end of the impact receiving post. The foundation cage may be configured for installation beneath a ground surface.

1 . A barrier system comprising:
 an impact receiving post having a solid cross section, the impact receiving post being bendable and having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a foundation cage coupled to the proximal end of the impact receiving post and configured for installation beneath a ground surface.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a damper coupled to an outer surface of the impact receiving post, wherein the damper extends at least partially along a length of the impact receiving post. 
 
     
     
         3 . The barrier system of  claim 2 , wherein the damper is comprised of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a cover that extends over an outer surface of the damper. 
 
     
     
         5 . The barrier system of  claim 4 , wherein the cover is comprised of stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage comprises a plurality of members that form a three-dimensional lattice structure. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier system of  claim 6 , wherein the foundation cage defines a recess that receives the impact receiving post and wherein the foundation cage includes a platform at least partially extending across the recess to support the impact receiving post and prevent the impact receiving post from extending further into the foundation cage. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The barrier system of  claim 6 , wherein the foundation cage includes one or more support members and the impact receiving post extends through the support members. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage includes a beam which extends from a top of the foundation cage to a bottom of the foundation cage, and
 wherein the beam extends from a first lateral side of the foundation cage to a second lateral side of the foundation cage, the second lateral side of the foundation cage opposite the first lateral side of the foundation cage.   
     
     
         11 . The barrier system of  claim 10 , wherein the beam includes a through-hole and the impact receiving post extends through the through-hole. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The barrier system of  claim 11 , wherein the impact receiving post includes a flange, and the through hole is adjacent a ridge that defines a pocket to receive the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier system complies with at least one of ASTM F3016, ASTM F3016M, ASTM F2656, ASTM F2656M, PAS 68, and IWA 14. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the impact receiving post has a diameter of about 4 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the impact receiving post has a height extending from the foundation cage of at least about 30 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the impact receiving post has a diameter of about 4 inches and a height extending from the foundation cage of about 30 inches to about 54 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage overlaps the impact receiving post by at least 21 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage has a diameter of about 6 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage has a height of about 36 inches and a diameter of about 6 inches. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage and the impact receiving post are configured to limit a displacement of the distal end of the impact receiving post to 48 inches or less when the barrier system is struck by a vehicle weighing up to 5,000 pounds and traveling at up to 10 mph. 
     
     
         25 . The barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation cage and the impact receiving post are configured to limit a displacement of the distal end of the impact receiving post to 48 inches or less when the barrier system is struck by a vehicle weighing up to 5,000 pounds and traveling at up to 20 mph. 
     
     
         26 . A barrier system comprising:
 an impact receiving post having proximal end and a free distal end, the impact receiving post having a solid cross section;   an elastomeric damper disposed on an outer surface of the impact receiving post, the elastomeric damper extending at least partially along a length of the impact receiving post;   a cover disposed over an outer surface of the elastomeric damper; and   a foundation cage including a plurality of members that define a three-dimensional lattice structure, the foundation cage configured for installation in concrete beneath a ground surface and to receive the proximal end of the impact receiving post,   wherein the impact receiving post, the elastomeric damper and the cover are configured to bend in response to being struck by a vehicle.   
     
     
         27 . The barrier system of  claim 26 , wherein the foundation cage and the impact receiving post limit displacement of the distal end of the impact receiving post to 48 inches or less when the barrier system is struck by a vehicle weighing up to 5,000 pounds and traveling at up to 30 mph. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A barrier system comprising:
 a steel impact receiving post having a solid cross section, a proximal end and a distal end; and   a foundation cage including a plurality of members that cross one another to define a three-dimensional lattice structure, the foundation cage defining a recess with a portion of the steel impact receiving post within the recess, the foundation cage being coupled to the proximal end of the steel impact receiving post, the foundation cage having a diameter of about 4 inches to about 8 inches and a length below the steel impact receiving post of about 15 inches,   wherein the steel impact receiving post has a diameter of 4 inches, a total length of about 40 inches to about 60 inches including a length above the foundation cage of about 34 inches to about 44 inches, and an overlap length where the steel impact receiving post overlaps the foundation cage of about 16 inches to about 26 inches.   
     
     
         30 - 34 . (canceled)