Barrier with externally-looped cable
A barrier is formed from one or more intermediate posts situated between a pair of end posts. Long flexible cables interconnect the end posts and extend adjacent each intermediate post. Each cable is wrapped one or more times around each post. End posts may include dual columns that permit cable windings around both columns. A spike embedded within the end of each cable enhances the purchase that can be gained by a clamp that presses the cable against the end post. The clamp has contact elements with converging side walls that grip the cable near the spike. To maintain the spike in place, a wire rope clip grips the cable over a constriction in its contained spike. Each cable is enclosed by a cable cover extending between adjacent posts. The cable cover is suspended at each post by a pair of tiltable hangers.
1 . A barrier, comprising:
a footing system embedded within a terrain;
a post system supported by the footing system and comprising a plurality of rigid posts, each post comprising at least one vertical column, the plurality of posts further comprising:
a pair of end posts; and
a plurality of intermediate posts arranged between the end posts; and
an elongate and flexible cable supported by the post system, the cable forming a plurality of looped portions, each looped portion externally engaging and surrounding a corresponding one of the columns of each of the plurality of posts.
2 . The barrier of claim 1 in which the cable is formed from non-metallic fibers.
3 . The barrier of claim 1 in which each looped portion fully conforms to the outer surface of the column it surrounds.
4 . The barrier of claim 1 in which the footing system further comprises:
a plurality of intermediate footings within which the plurality of intermediate posts are embedded in a one-to-one relationship; and
a pair of end footings between which the plural intermediate footings are arranged, each end post being embedded within a corresponding one of the end footings.
5 . The barrier of claim 4 in which each of the end footings is larger than at least some of the intermediate footings.
6 . A barrier, comprising:
a footing system embedded within a terrain;
a post system embedded within the footing system and comprising:
a pair of end posts; and
a plurality of intermediate posts arranged between the end posts, each intermediate post being of uniform cross-sectional construction; and
an elongate, flexible and unitary cable that fully wraps around each of the plurality of intermediate posts and engages each of the end posts.
7 . The barrier of claim 6 in which each end post comprises a column about which the cable fully wraps.
8 . The barrier of claim 7 in which each column is wrapped by the cable in a plurality of windings.
9 . The barrier of claim 6 in which each portion of the cable that wraps around an intermediate post fully conforms to the outer surface of that intermediate post.
10 . The barrier of claim 6 in which the footing system comprises:
a plurality of intermediate footings within which the plurality of intermediate posts are embedded in a one-to-one relationship; and
a pair of end footings between which the plural intermediate footings are arranged, each end post being embedded within a corresponding one of the end footings.
11 . The barrier of claim 10 in which each of the end footings is larger than at least some of the intermediate footings.
12 . A barrier, comprising:
a footing system embedded within a terrain;
a post system embedded within the footing system and comprising:
a pair of end posts; and
a plurality of intermediate posts arranged between the end posts, each intermediate post comprising one and only one steel tube; and
an elongate, flexible and unitary cable that fully wraps around each of the plurality of intermediate posts and engages each of the end posts.