Abstract
An apparatus for use with a barrier having an overhanging ledge to limit movement by a person on the ledge. The apparatus has an upright member that is positioned next to the barrier, a base member at a lower end of the upright member that is positioned on a surface adjacent the barrier and opposite the ledge, a mechanism for engaging the barrier to hold the apparatus in place and a plurality of limiting members that extend across the ledge to prevent movement past the apparatus. In one configuration, each of the limiting members extend through openings in a railing above the barrier. The engaging mechanism defines a gap that receives the barrier to hold the apparatus to the barrier. The base member can have a footplate on which weight can be placed. A system has a pair of apparatuses that define an area in which movement is allowed.
Claims
1. A movement limiting apparatus for use with a barrier separating a passageway having a passageway surface located on an inward side of the barrier and an overhang area on an outward side of the barrier, with the barrier having a ledge located in or toward the overhang area so as to extend outward from the barrier in spaced apart relation above a lower surface which extends under the passageway such that the passageway surface allows passage over the lower surface, said apparatus comprising: an upright member having a lower end and an upper end, said upright member sized and configured to be position at the inward side of the barrier when said apparatus is utilized with the barrier to prevent movement along the ledge associated with the barrier; a base member attached to or integral with said lower end of said upright member, said base member configured to be positioned at the passageway surface of the passageway when said apparatus is utilized with the barrier; and a plurality of outwardly extending limiting members, each of said limiting members connected to said upright member so as to be supported thereby and to extend across the ledge and into the overhang area so as to prevent movement on the ledge past said apparatus when said upright member is at the inward side of the barrier.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the barrier defines an upper surface thereof, the barrier has a railing above the upper surface of the barrier, the ledge is defined by the upper surface of the barrier between the railing and an outward side of the barrier and each one of said limiting members are sized and configured to extend through a railing opening in the railing so as to define a limiting position with said apparatus.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said upper end of said upright member extends above an upper end of the railing and each of said limiting members are disposed between a lower end and the upper end of the railing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a footplate attached to or integral with said base member, said footplate having a plate surface on which weight may be placed to secure said base member to the passageway surface and said upright member at the inward side of the barrier.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a barrier engaging means attached to or integral with at least one of said upright member and said base member, said barrier engaging means being structured and arranged to engage the barrier to securely position said upright member at the inward side of the barrier when said apparatus is utilized with the barrier.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said barrier engaging means comprises an L-shaped engaging member having a horizontally disposed first member that is attached to or integral with said upright member and a downwardly disposed second member that is attached to or integral with said first member to define a barrier gap between said second member and said upright member that is sized and configured to receive the barrier therein when said apparatus is utilized to define a limiting position to prevent movement on the ledge past said apparatus.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said barrier engaging means comprises a crossing member attached to or integral with said upright member so as to extend across an upper end of the barrier and an outward member extending downward from said crossing member in spaced apart relation to said upright member so as to define a barrier gap therebetween that is sized and configured to receive the barrier therein when said apparatus is utilized to define a limiting position to prevent movement on the ledge past said apparatus.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said limiting members are attached to or integral with said outward member so as to extend outwardly therefrom across the ledge and into the overhang area.
9. A movement limiting apparatus for use with a barrier separating a passageway having a passageway surface located on an inward side of the barrier and an overhang area on an outward side of the barrier, with the barrier having a ledge located in or toward the overhang area so as to extend outward from the barrier in spaced apart relation above a lower surface which extends under the passageway such that the passageway surface allows passage over the lower surface, said apparatus comprising: an upright member having a lower end and an upper end, said upright member sized and configured to be position at the inward side of the barrier when said apparatus is utilized with the barrier to prevent movement along the ledge associated with the barrier; a base member attached to or integral with said lower end of said upright member, said base member configured to be positioned at the passageway surface of the passageway when said apparatus is utilized with the barrier; a barrier engaging means attached to or integral with at least one of said upright member and said base member, said barrier engaging means being structured and arranged to engage the barrier to securely position said upright member at the inward side of the barrier when said apparatus is utilized with the barrier; and a plurality of outwardly extending limiting members, each of said limiting members having a proximal end attached connected to said upright member so as to extend a distal end of said limiting members into the overhang area and position each of said limiting members across the ledge so as to prevent movement on the ledge past said apparatus when said upright member is at the inward side of the barrier and said base member is at the passageway surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein an upper end of the barrier defines an upper surface thereof, the barrier has a railing above the upper surface of the barrier, the ledge is defined by the upper surface of the barrier between the railing and an outward side of the barrier and each one of said limiting members are sized and configured to extend through a railing opening in the railing so as to define a limiting position with said apparatus.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said upper end of said upright member extends above an upper end of the railing and each of said limiting members are disposed between a lower end and the upper end of the railing.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a footplate attached to or integral with said base member, said footplate having a plate surface on which weight may be placed to secure said base member to the passageway surface and said upright member at the inward side of the barrier.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said barrier engaging means comprises an L-shaped engaging member having a horizontally disposed first member that is attached to or integral with said upright member and a downwardly disposed second member that is attached to or integral with said first member to define a barrier gap between said second member and said upright member that is sized and configured to receive the barrier therein when said apparatus is utilized to define a limiting position to prevent movement on the ledge past said apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said barrier engaging means comprises a crossing member attached to or integral with said upright member so as to extend across an upper end of the barrier and an outward member extending downward from said crossing member in spaced apart relation to said upright member so as to define a barrier gap therebetween that is sized and configured to receive the barrier therein when said apparatus is utilized to define a limiting position to prevent movement on the ledge past said apparatus.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of said limiting members are attached to or integral with said outward member so as to extend outwardly therefrom across the ledge and into the overhang area.
16. A movement limiting system, comprising: a passageway having a passageway surface; an overhang area located above a lower surface which extends under said passageway such that said passageway surface allows passage over said lower surface; a barrier separating said passageway and said overhang area, with said passageway surface located on an inward side of said barrier and said overhang area located on an outward side of said barrier; a ledge associated with said barrier, said ledge located in or toward said overhang area so as to extend outward from said barrier in spaced apart relation above said lower surface; a first movement limiting apparatus; and a second movement limiting apparatus in spaced apart relation to said first movement limiting apparatus so as to define an allowed movement area therebetween, wherein each of said first movement limiting apparatus and said second movement limiting apparatus have an upright member with a lower end and an upper end, a base member attached to or integral with said lower end of said upright member and a plurality of outwardly extending limiting members that are connected to said upright member, said upright members configured to be position at an inward side of said barrier, said base member configured to be positioned at said passageway surface of said passageway, each of said limiting members sized and configured to extend across said ledge and into said overhang area so as to prevent movement on said ledge outside of said allowed movement area when said first apparatus and said second apparatus are utilized with said barrier to limit movement along said ledge.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein each of said first apparatus and said second apparatus further comprise a barrier engaging means attached to or integral with at least one of said upright member and said base member, said barrier engaging means being structured and arranged to engage said barrier to securely position said upright member at said inward side of said barrier.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein said barrier engaging means comprises an L-shaped engaging member having a horizontally disposed first member that is attached to or integral with said upright member and a downwardly disposed second member that is attached to or integral with said first member to define a barrier gap between said second member and said upright member that is sized and configured to receive said barrier therein when said first apparatus and said second apparatus are utilized to prevent movement on said ledge outside of said allowed movement area.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein said barrier engaging means comprises a crossing member attached to or integral with said upright member so as to extend across an upper end of said barrier and an outward member extending downward from said crossing member in spaced apart relation to said upright member so as to define a barrier gap therebetween that is sized and configured to receive said barrier therein when said first apparatus and said second apparatus are utilized to prevent movement on said ledge outside of said allowed movement area, each of said limiting members attached to or integral with said outward member so as to extend outwardly therefrom across said ledge and into said overhang area.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein each of said first apparatus and said second apparatus have a footplate that is attached to or integral with said base member, said footplate having a plate surface on which weight may be placed to secure said base member to said passageway surface and said upright member at said inward side of said barrier.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art barrier having a railing thereon with the upper surface of the barrier defining an overhanging ledge;
(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view of the prior art barrier and railing of FIG. 1 taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship between the barrier and the railing which defines the overhanging edge;
(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of a prior art barrier that does not have a railing thereon showing the overhanging edge located below the upper end of the barrier;
(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of a prior art apparatus that is utilized to limit the movement of a person on an overhanging ledge that is configured for use with a barrier/railing combination such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of a movement limiting apparatus that is configured according to a first embodiment of the present invention for limiting transverse movement along an overhanging ledge of the barrier/railing combination shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
(7) FIG. 6 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;
(8) FIG. 7 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;
(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 shown in use with the barrier/railing combination of FIGS. 1 and 2 to limit movement along the overhanging ledge associated with the barrier;
(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of a movement limiting apparatus that is configured according to a second embodiment of the present invention for limiting transverse movement along an overhanging ledge of the barrier/railing combination shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing use of a height adjusting mechanism to adjust the position of the limiting members and the use of selective placement of the limiting members on the upright member;
(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a movement limiting apparatus that is configured according to a third embodiment of the present invention for limiting transverse movement along an overhanging ledge of the barrier shown in FIG. 3;
(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 10 shown in use with the barrier of FIG. 3 to limit movement along the overhanging ledge associated with the barrier;
(13) FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternative configuration for the upright member of the apparatus of FIG. 5 showing use of apertures for the limiting members and apertures for the barrier engaging mechanism; and
(14) FIG. 13 is a top view of a system showing use of a pair of apparatuses with a barrier to define an allowed movement area therebetween.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(15) With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures are illustrative of several potential preferred embodiments and, therefore, are included to represent several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and shown in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the description and figures included herewith generally describe and show particular materials, shapes and configurations for the various components of the apparatus of the present invention, as well as examples of barriers, with or without railing, with which the new apparatus may be utilized, persons who are skilled in the relevant art will readily appreciate that the present invention is not so limited. In addition, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and described herein with only those components that are required to disclose the present invention. As such, it may be possible that some of the necessary elements for attaching and using the present invention are not shown or necessarily described below, but which are well known to persons who are skilled in the relevant art. As will be readily appreciated by such persons, the various elements of the present invention that are described below may take on any form which is consistent with forms that may be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art having knowledge of barriers, with or without railing, and the overhanging ledges that are commonly associated with such barriers.
(16) A movement limiting apparatus that is configured pursuant to preferred embodiments of the present invention is referred to generally as 10 in FIGS. 5-11. As set forth in more detail below, the new apparatus 10 of the present invention is structured and arranged to be utilized to limit transverse movement of a person on an overhanging ledge 12 associated with a barrier 14, with or without a railing 16 (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), that is utilized to separate an intersecting passageway 18 from an overhang area 20 that located in spaced is above a lower surface 22, as best shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 13. As set forth above, for purposes of describing the present invention, the intersecting passageway 18 is typically a bridge 24 that supports a street, road, walkway, bicycle path or any other passageway that may utilized by people who are walking, riding bicycles or on a motor vehicle to cross above the lower surface 22. Likewise, the lower surface 22 may be a roadway, such as a freeway, highway or the like, that is utilized by motor vehicles, with the bridge-supported passageway 18 being provided to allow the motor vehicles to move unobstructed, at least with regard to the intersecting passageway 18, along the lower surface 22 (i.e., roadway). In other uses, the lower surface 22 may be a waterway, such as a river, creek, lake, ocean or the like, with the bridge 24 being provided to allow persons to move unobstructively above and across the waterway (i.e., as the lower surface 22). As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the relevant art, the apparatus 10 of the present invention can be utilized with ledges 12 that are associated with a wide variety of elevated structures.
(17) As set forth in the Summary, the apparatus 10 of the present invention can be utilized for a wide variety of different configurations of barriers 14 that have a ledge 12 associated therewith, typically defined by the barrier 14, in the overhang area 20 in order to limit the transverse movement of a person on the ledge 12. The barriers 14 and railings 16 can be made out of a wide variety of materials, such as metal or the like, or combinations of materials. By limiting the extent the person can transversely move along the ledge 12, the police, firefighters and/or others can have a better opportunity to prevent the person from jumping off the ledge 12 onto the lower surface 22 and/or an improved ability to place one or more items, such as large inflatable bags, on the lower surface 22 to reduce the likelihood the person will be injured or killed if he or she does jump from the ledge 12 toward the lower surface 22. The barrier 14 has a barrier body 26 that defines a lower end 28, an upper end 30, an inward side 32 and an outward side 34 of the barrier 14, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3. As also shown in these figures, the barrier 14 has an upper surface 36 at the upper end 30 thereof and the lower end 28 is positioned adjacent a passageway surface 38 of the passageway 18 to separate the passageway 18 from the overhang area 20. The distance between the lower end 28 and upper end 30 of the barrier 14 defines the barrier height BH of the barrier 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The inward side 32 of barrier 14 faces inwardly toward the passageway 18 and the outward side 34 of barrier 14 faces outwardly toward the overhang area 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The distance between the inward side 32 and the outward side 34 defines the barrier width BW of the barrier 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The ledge 12 is either defined by the upper surface 36 of the barrier 14 or its located on the outward side 34 of the barrier, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3. As well known in the relevant art, in one configuration the barrier body 26 of the barrier 14 is sized and configured to stop a motor vehicle that is on the passageway 18 from leaving the passageway surface 38 and entering the overhang area 20, which could result in the motor vehicle crashing down onto the lower surface 22 below the bridge 24 (or other elevated structure) and severely injuring or killing the occupants of the motor vehicle.
(18) In one very common configuration for passageway barriers used with bridges 24 over a roadway or other lower surface 22, the barrier 14 has a railing 16 that extends upward from the upper surface 36 of the barrier 14, as best shown in FIGS. 1-2, to provide increased impediment for persons or vehicles moving on the passageway surface 38 from crossing over into the overhang area 20 and falling to the lower surface 22 from the bridge 24. In these configurations, the railing 16 has a railing body 40, a lower end 42 at or near the upper end 30 of the barrier 14, an upper end 44 is spaced apart relation above the lower end 42 thereof, an inward side 46 and an outward side 48, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. The distance between the lower end 42 and upper end 44 of the railing 16 defines the railing height RH and the distance between the inward side 46 and outward side 48 defines the railing width RW, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. The inward side 46 of railing 16 faces inwardly toward the passageway 18 and the outward side 48 of railing 16 faces outwardly toward the overhang area 20, as shown in FIG. 2. In one common configuration, the railing 16 comprises a chain link fence, plurality of spaced apart rods or the like having a railing body 40 with a plurality of railing openings 50 and one or more, typically a plurality of, support posts 52 that support the railing 16 along the barrier 14, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 13.
(19) The new apparatus 10 of the present invention is sized and configured in cooperative arrangement with the barrier 14, with or without the railing 16, such that when the circumstances require limiting the transverse movement of a person on the ledge 12, usually a potential jumper, one part of the apparatus 10 will be held at or near the inward side 32 of the barrier 14 and, if applicable, the inward side 46 of the railing 16, and another part of the apparatus 10 will extend into the overhang area 20, through the railing 16 (as applicable) and across the ledge 12 to prevent transverse movement by the person past the boundary that is defined by the location of the apparatus 10. In normal usage, a pair of apparatuses 10 will be utilized to define a range of transverse movement, typically relatively narrow, that the person on the ledge 12 will be able to move between the spaced apart pair of apparatuses 10. In one typical use, the two apparatuses 10 will be spaced apart a distance that is less than the width of a large inflatable bag that is placed on the lower surface 22 below the ledge 12 so the person will land on the bag if he or she does jump from the ledge 12.
(20) An embodiment of the apparatus 10 of the present invention for use with barriers 14 that have a railing 16 is shown in FIGS. 5-8. As shown in these figures, the apparatus 10 comprises an upright member 54, a generally horizontal base member 56 that is attached to or integral with the upright member 54, a barrier engaging mechanism 58 associated with the upright member 54 to engage the barrier body 26 of the barrier 14 and a plurality of outwardly extending limiting members 60 that are attached to or integral with the upright member 54 and sized and configured to extend from the upright member 54 into the overhang area 20 and across the ledge 12 to prevent transverse movement past the apparatus 10. As set forth in more detail below, the apparatus 10 is structured and arranged such that when the apparatus 10 is in use the base member 56 thereof is positioned at or against the passageway surface 38 and the upright member 54 is position at or against the barrier 14 so as to extend the limiting members 60 into the overhang area 20 and across the ledge 12. Typically, the apparatus 10 will also have one or more handles 61 attached to or integral with the upright member 54, such as a pair of U-shaped handles 61a and 61b and a straight handle 61, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7-9. The handles 61 can be utilized by the users of the apparatus 10 to move the apparatus 10 in place, position the apparatus 10 and, as may be necessary, to hold the apparatus 10 in position.
(21) The upright member 54, which has a lower end 62 and an upper end 64 in spaced apart relation to the lower end 62, is sized and configured such that the lower end 62 will be generally at or against the passageway surface 38 and the upper end 63 will be at or above the upper end 30 of the barrier 14 when the apparatus 10 is in use to limit transverse movement along the ledge 12, as shown in FIGS. 5-11. The base member 56 has a first or proximal end 66 that is attached to or integral with the upright member 54 (typically at the lower end 62 thereof) and a second or distal end 68 that is in spaced apart relation to the first/proximal end 66 so as to extend rearwardly from the upright member 54 to support the apparatus 10 as it stands at or adjacent to the barrier 14, as shown in FIGS. 5-11. The barrier engaging mechanism 58 is attached to or integral with the upright member 54 and extends forwardly therefrom to removably engage the barrier 14 to help hold the apparatus 10 at or against the barrier 14, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, when the apparatus 10 is in use to limit transverse movement along the ledge 12 to reduce the likelihood that the apparatus 10 will become separated from the barrier 14 and to reduce the amount of effort that is required by the user of the apparatus 10 to hold the apparatus 10 in the desired or necessary position. Each of the limiting members 60 have a first or proximal end 70 that is attached to or integral with the upright member 54 and a second or distal end 72 that extends forwardly from the upright member 54 toward and into the overhang area 20 such that each limiting member 60 crosses the ledge 12 to prevent a person on the ledge 12 from moving past the apparatus 10 so as to limit his or her movement on the ledge 12 to the space between a pair of apparatuses 10, which is referred to herein as the allowed movement area 116, as shown in FIG. 13.
(22) For purposes of describing the use and relative location of the various components of the present invention, the terms “upper”, “upward”, “upwardly”, “upper” and “top” and the like and the terms “lower”, “downward”, “downwardly” and “bottom” and the like refer to the direction, respectively, shown for the upper end 62 and the lower end 64 of the upright member 54 when the apparatus 10 is held in its normal upright “in use” position at the barrier 14 with the lower end 64 of upright member 54 at or against the passageway surface 38, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. Likewise, the terms “front”, “forward”, “forwardly” and the like and the terms “back”, “rearward”, “rearwardly” and the like are utilized to refer to the direction of various components of the apparatus 10 with regard to the overhang area 20, which is in the forward direction, and the passageway 18, which is in the rearward direction, when the apparatus 10 is in use at or adjacent the barrier 14, as shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12. For instance, the inward side 32 of the barrier 14 and the inward side 46 of the railing 16 face in a rearward direction and the outward side 34 of the barrier 14 and the outward side 48 of the railing 16 face in forward direction. In addition, in the embodiments of the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 5-9, the handles 61 extend in a rearward direction.
(23) As set forth in the Background and shown in FIG. 4, a prior art apparatus, shown as 74, for limiting the transverse movement of a person on a ledge 12 of barrier 14 at the edge of a passageway 18 across a bridge 24 over a freeway or other lower surface 22 also comprises an upright member 54 having a plurality of outwardly extending limiting members 60 attached to or integral with the upright member 54. As shown in FIG. 4, the limiting members 60 of the prior art apparatus 74 are position along the upright member 54 between the lower end 62 and upper end 64 thereof. In use, a person has to stand next to the barrier 14 and railing 16 and hold the prior art apparatus 74 in position, typically with the limiting members 60 through the railing openings 50 in the railing 16. As will be readily appreciated by persons who use the prior art apparatus 74, it can become quite tiresome to stand and hold the prior art apparatus 74 in place during the entire time it takes to negotiate with the person on the ledge 12 to persuade him or her to not jump and move back to a safe area (i.e., on the passageway surface 38). As a result of being tired, it can become possible for the person on the ledge 12 to move past the prior art apparatus 74, thereby defeating the limiting purpose of using the prior art apparatus 74. As will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, the new apparatus 10 of the present invention solves the problems with the prior art apparatus 74 and, therefore, is more effective at limiting the transverse movement of a person on the ledge 12 of a barrier 14. The prior art apparatus 74 also has handles 61, such as the U-shaped handles 61a and 61b and the straight handle 61c, attached to or integral with the upright member 54.
(24) The upright member 54 of the apparatus 10 of the present invention can be a solid rod or it can be tubular, which is likely to result in less cost and weight for the apparatus 10. The upright member 54 can be made out of a metal, plastic, composite or other material that provides an upright member 54 which is sufficiently strong and stiff enough to be utilized to prevent persons from moving on the ledge 12 past the location of the apparatus 10. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-8, the upright member 54 is a single sized member that is of sufficient length to position the limiting members 60 above the barrier 14 so they can extend through the railing openings 50 in the railing 16, as shown in FIG. 8. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the upright member 54 has a height adjusting mechanism 76 operatively associated therewith that is configured to allow the upright member 54 to be adjustable in height (i.e., the length of the upright member 54) so the of the apparatus 10 user can raise or lower the upright member 54 as needed so he or she can position the limiting members 60 of the apparatus 10 where they can be best utilized to limit the transverse movement of a person on a ledge 12 associated with a barrier 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the upright member 54 of the apparatus 10 is telescopically configured with a first upright member 54a in telescopic relation with a second upright member 54b and a positioning member 78, such as a pin or the like, interconnecting the two upright members 54a/54b to fix the height of the upright member 54 and, therefore, the vertical position of the limiting members 60. As set forth above, in one embodiment, the limiting members 60 are positioned so they will extend through the railing openings 50 into the overhang area 20 and across the ledge 12 to prevent movement on the ledge 12 past the location of the apparatus 10. As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the relevant art, a wide variety of different types of telescopic configurations can be utilized for the upright member 54 to allow it to be adjustable in height.
(25) As with the upright member 54, the base member 56 of the apparatus 10 of the present invention can be a solid rod or it can be tubular, which is likely to result in less cost and weight for the apparatus 10. The base member 56 can be made out of a metal, plastic, composite or other material that provides an base member 56 which is sufficiently strong and stiff enough to be utilized to help hold the upright member 54, to which the base member 56 is attached or integrally formed, in place so that the limiting members 60 will prevent persons from moving on the ledge 12 past the location of the apparatus 10. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-8, the base member 56 is a single sized member that is of sufficient length to allow a person to stand on the base member 56 or to place weighted objects, such as sandbags or the like, on the base member 56 to hold the upright member 54 in position so the limiting members 60 can extend through the railing openings 50 in the railing 16, as shown in FIG. 8. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the base member 56 has a length adjusting mechanism 80 operatively associated therewith that is configured to allow the base member 56 to be adjustable in length so the user of the apparatus 10 can shorten or extend the base member 56 as needed to take into account different configurations of the barrier 14 that may result in more or less set-back, relative to the railing 16, so the limiting members 60 of the apparatus 10 will be in position where they can limit the transverse movement of a person on a ledge 12 associated with a barrier 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the base member 56 of the apparatus 10 is telescopically configured with a first base member 56a in telescopic relation with a second base member 56b and a positioning member 82, such as a pin or the like, interconnecting the two members 54a/54b so as to fix the length of the base member 56 and, as set forth above, to position the limiting members 60 so they will extend through the railing openings 50 into the overhang area 20 and across the ledge 12 to prevent movement on the ledge 12 past the location of the apparatus 10. As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the relevant art, a wide variety of different types of telescopic configurations can be utilized with the base member 56 to allow it to be adjustable in length.
(26) To assist the user with being able to hold the base member 56 in place so as to easily and securely position the upright member 54 and the various limiting members 60 to effectively limit the movement of a person on a ledge 12 from moving past the apparatus 10, a preferred embodiment of the new apparatus 10 comprises a footplate 84 attached to or integral with the base member 56, as shown in FIGS. 5-12 and 13. In one configuration, the footplate 84 is attached or integral with the lower surface 86 of the base member 56 and extends outwardly from the base member 56 to provide additional space for the user to weigh the base member 56 down (either by standing on the footplate 84 or placing weighted objects on the footplate 84) to reduce the likelihood the apparatus 10 can be dislodged from its limiting position, shown as 88 in FIGS. 8, 9 and 13, during use thereof to limit the movement of a person on the ledge 12. The footplate 84 can be a generally planar plate member 90, as best shown in FIGS. 5-6, 8 and 11. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-13, the footplate 84 extends outward from one side of the base member 56 to provide an upwardly disposed plate surface 92. As will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art, however, the footplate 84 can extend outward from one or both sides and/or the end of the base member 56 to provide one or more upwardly disposed plate surfaces 92. In one embodiment, the footplate 84 is made out of the same material as base member 56.
(27) In a preferred embodiment of the new movement limiting apparatus 10 of the present invention, the apparatus 10 has a barrier engaging mechanism 58 that is attached to or integral with either the upright member 54 or base member 56. The barrier engaging mechanism 58 is structured and arranged to engage the barrier 14 and assist with holding the apparatus 10 in place at or near the barrier 14 when the apparatus 10 is in use to limit the movement of a person on the ledge 12 associated with the barrier 14, as best shown in FIGS. 5, 8, 11 and 13. In the preferred embodiments, the barrier engaging mechanism 58 is configured to at least substantially hold the apparatus 10 at or against the barrier 14 in a manner which generally reduces the likelihood the person on the ledge 12 will be able to push the apparatus 10 away from the barrier 14 and, therefore, pass by the limiting position 88 that was intended to be defined by placement of the apparatus 10 at the barrier 14. In addition, the barrier engaging mechanism 58 is configured to further reduce the need for a police officer, firefighter or other rescuer from having to continuously apply force to the apparatus 10 to hold the limiting members 60 in position across the ledge 12 and into the overhang area 20, which is necessary to prevent the transverse movement of a person on the ledge 12 past the apparatus 10 (i.e., the limiting position 88).
(28) In the embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 5-9, the barrier engaging mechanism 58 comprises an L-shaped engaging member 94 having a horizontally disposed first member 96 and a vertically disposed second member 98, with the first or proximal end 100 of the first member attached to or integral with the upright member 54 and the second member 98 extending downward from the second or distal end 102 of the first member 96, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 9. In one configuration, the distance between vertically disposed second member 98 and the upright member 54, which is referred to as the barrier gap 104, is sized and configured to be slightly larger than the barrier width BW of the barrier 14 so that the apparatus 10 will be tightly held against the barrier 14, as shown in FIG. 8. In use, the apparatus 10 is placed at the barrier 14 with the lowermost end of the vertical second member 98 of the L-shaped engaging member 94 above the upper end 30 of the barrier 14 and then lowered so the barrier 14 is received into the barrier gap 104, which will position the upright member 54 at or adjacent the inward side 32 of the barrier 14 and the second member 98 at the outward side 34 of the barrier 14, as shown in FIG. 8. As will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art, this will make harder for a potential jumper to push the apparatus 10 away from the barrier 14 and make it easier for the rescuer to ensure that the apparatus 10 stays in place to define a limiting position 88. In some embodiments of the barrier engaging mechanism 58, the horizontal first member 96 of the L-shaped engaging member 94 can be adjustable in length, such as being telescopically configured, to allow the user to adjust the barrier gap 104 for barriers 14 having different barrier widths BW. The L-shaped engaging member 94 should be made out materials that are sufficiently strong and stiff enough to achieve the objective of holding the apparatus 10 in place at the barrier 14.
(29) As set forth above, the limiting members 60 of the apparatus 10 are the objects that are utilized to create an impediment to a person on the ledge 12 from being able to move transversely along the ledge 12 past the limiting position 88 defined by the location of the apparatus 10. In a preferred embodiment, each of the limiting members 60 are made out of strong and stiff material, such as metal, composites, some plastics and the like, so the limiting members 60 will extend outward from the first/proximal end 70 to their second/distal end 72 to provide a fence-like impediment to a person who is on the ledge 12 associated with a barrier 14. If desired, a brace or other stiffening member can be associated with each of the limiting members 60 to ensure that they extend substantially inflexibly out to the overhang area 20 and across the ledge 12. Although the limiting members 60 are shown as extending horizontally (i.e., in a perpendicular relation) from the upright member 54 in FIGS. 5-9, persons who are skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the extending horizontal is not required, as the limiting members 60 may be at various angles, upward or downward, relative to the upright member 54. In any configuration, the limiting members 60 should be sized and configured so they can fit through the railing openings 50 in the railing body 40 of the railing 16 and be of sufficient length to extend beyond the ledge 12 into the overhang area 20 to provide the necessary impediment to transverse movement past the limiting position 88 defined by the location of the apparatus 10 by a person who is on the ledge 12. In one configuration, the limiting members 60 can be adjustable in length to accommodate different configurations of the barrier 14 and/or the railing 16 in relation to the location of the ledge 14 and passageway surface 38 where the base member 56 will typically be placed.
(30) In one configuration of the new apparatus 10 of the present invention, the limiting members 60 and the L-shaped engaging member 94 have specific locations where they are either integrally formed with or attached to the upright member. In an alternative embodiment, the upright member 54 has a plurality of apertures 106 that are sized and configured to removably receive the limiting members 60 and a plurality of apertures 108 that are sized and configured to removably receive the first member 96 of the L-shaped engaging member 94, as shown in FIG. 12. In one configuration, the apertures 106 for the limiting members 60 are different sizes and/or different shapes than the apertures 108 for the first member 96 of the L-shaped engaging member 94 to ensure that the placement of these components are not mixed up. In other configurations, the apertures 106 and apertures 108 can be the same size and shape. By providing a plurality of the apertures 106 and apertures 108 in the upright member 54, as shown in FIG. 12, will allow the user to select the number and placement of the limiting members 60 and the barrier engaging mechanism 58 so that they can be “customized” for a particular barrier 14 and railing 16 arrangement. In addition, the user would be able to select limiting members 60 that are sized to fit through the railing openings 50 of the railing body 40 for different configurations of railings 16 (specifically for different sizes and shapes of the railing openings 50) and a different type or size of barrier engaging mechanism 58 for the size and shape of the barrier 14.
(31) An embodiment of the apparatus 10 of the present invention for use with barriers 14 not having a railing 16 is shown in FIGS. 10-11. For this type of barrier 14, the apparatus 10 is sized and configured to extend over the upper end 30 of the barrier 14, across the upper surface 36 and down the outward side 34 of the barrier 14, as shown in FIG. 11. To achieve this objective, the apparatus 10 has a crossing member 110 that is positioned across or above the upper surface 36 and a downward extending outward member 112 that extends downward from the crossing member 110 to or at least toward the ledge 12 associated with the barrier 14 to form the apparatus 10 into an inverted U-shaped configuration. The spacing between the outward member 112 and the upright member 54 defines the barrier gap 104 in which the barrier 14 is received, as shown in FIG. 11, to provide barring engaging mechanism 58 that helps hold the apparatus 10 in place at the barrier 14. Specifically, in this embodiment, the barrier engaging mechanism 58 comprises the upright member 54, crossing member 110 and outward member 112 being cooperatively sized and configured to form the inverted U-shape in which the barrier 14 is received to help secure the apparatus 10 to the barrier 14. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, each of the limiting members 60 are attached to or integral with the outward member 112 and are positioned to extend outwardly from the outward member 112 across the ledge 12 and into the overhang area 20. For this type of configuration, the U-shaped handle 61a is attached to the upright member 54 and the other U-shaped handle 61b is attached to or integral with the crossing member 110, as shown in FIGS. 10-11.
(32) In one configuration, the crossing member 110 is fixedly attached to or integral with the upright member 54 and the outward member 112 is fixedly attached to or integral with the crossing member 110 for a specific size and shape of barrier 14. In other configurations, the apparatus 10 is adjustable for different sizes and shapes of barrier 14. In FIG. 12, the apparatus 10 utilizes the height adjusting mechanism 76 described above for the upright member 54. For this use, the crossing member 110 is telescopically arranged with the upright member 54 to allow the user to raise or lower the crossing member 110 and outward member 112 relative to the upright member 54 and then secure the positioning of these components with a positioning member 78, such as a pin or the like. If desired, the combination of the upright member 54 and base member 56 can be sized and configure to be selectively utilized with as either the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9 or the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11 depending on what component (i.e., the upper half of the upright member 54 or the crossing member 110) is attached to the lower half of the upright member 54 or the full upright member 54.
(33) FIG. 13 shows a movement limiting system 114 that utilizes a pair of the above-described apparatuses 10, shown as first apparatus 10a and second apparatus 10b, in spaced apart relation to each other to define, respectively, a first limiting position 88a and a second limiting position 88b, when utilized with a barrier 14 (with or without a railing 16) having a ledge associated therewith. Collectively, the first limiting position 88a and the second limiting position 88b define an allowed movement area 116 where a person on the ledge 12 will be allowed to move. As set forth above, the allowed movement area 116 should be less than the width of an inflated bag that will be placed on the lower surface 22 below the ledge 12 so if the person on the ledge 12 jumps off the bridge 24, or other elevated structure, he or she is going to be likely to land on the inflated bag to reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death from the jump. The embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is shown in use with a barrier 14 having a railing 16 with the limiting members 60 extending outward across the ledge 12 and into the overhang area 20 to limit movement on the ledge 12 to only that distance, the allowed movement area 116, between the limiting members 60 of the first apparatus 10a and the limiting members 60 of the second apparatus 10b. The system 114 for the embodiment of FIGS. 10-11 will similarly define an allowed movement area 116 between a pair of apparatuses 10.
(34) The apparatus 10 of the present invention will have components that are sized and configured to be in cooperative relation with the barrier 14 and the railing 16 and for the ledge 12 associated with the barrier 14. In use, the apparatus 10 is positioned at or adjacent a barrier 14, with or without a railing 16, with the base member 56 typically on the passageway surface 38 and the upright member 54 near the inward side 32 of the barrier 14, as shown in FIGS. 8,11 and 13. For use with a barrier 14 having a railing 16, the limiting members 60 are placed through the railing openings 50 so they extend across the ledge 12 and into the overhang area 20 and the L-shaped engaging member 94 of the barrier engaging mechanism 58 is placed in engagement with the barrier 14 (i.e., as described above). If applicable and necessary, the user will adjust the size, type and position of the various components of the apparatus 10 so the apparatus 10 is securely placed at the desired limiting position 88. For use with a barrier 14 without a railing 16, the user will form, if not already formed, the apparatus 10 into the inverted U-shaped configuration with the crossing member 110 and the outward member 112 so the limiting members 60 extend outward from the outward member 112 across the ledge 12 and into the overhang area 20. With a pair of apparatuses 10a/10b in place, as shown in FIG. 13, the apparatuses 10a/10b will define the allowed movement area 116 that limits the amount a person on the ledge 12 can move so the rescuers can better be able to take action to talk him or her off the ledge 12 or limit the likelihood of injury or death if the person does decide to jump off the ledge 12 of an elevated surface.
(35) While there are shown and described herein specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there may be numerous components of the embodiments described herein that can be readily replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives and obtain the desired aspects of the present invention. The various embodiments set forth herein are intended to explain the best mode of making and using the present invention as currently known to and appreciated by the present inventor(s) and to enable other persons who are skilled in the relevant art to make and utilize the present invention. Although, the described embodiments may comprise different features, not all of these features are required in all embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, as will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the art, certain embodiments of the present invention only utilize some of the features and/or combinations of features disclosed herein.
