Guardrail Post Assembly and Post Frame Therefor

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/955,232, filed Nov. 21, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/619,187, filed Jan. 9, 2024, each of which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This disclosure relates to building construction. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a fall protection system for use on an elevated surface.

Building structures under construction often have elevated surfaces, such as elevated floor slabs, that require guardrails or other safety measures to prevent accidental falls. Guardrails are typically placed at a perimeter of the elevated surface and are secured to structural components of the building structure, such as pillars. However, guardrail systems frequently are unable to adapt pillars of varying sizes and shapes. Additionally, guardrails that are not properly secured or suitably taut can move and can fail to prevent falls from the elevated surface.

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

Disclosed is a guardrail post assembly comprising a post frame; a guardrail attachment assembly mounted to the post frame and configurable in a disengaged configuration and an engaged configuration, the guardrail attachment assembly comprising: a strap mounting portion comprising a worm wheel; and a locking portion comprising a worm gear; and a guardrail strap mounted to the strap mounting portion of the guardrail attachment assembly; wherein, in the disengaged configuration, the worm gear is disengaged from the worm wheel, and in the engaged configuration, the worm gear is engaged with the worm wheel.

Also disclosed is a guardrail post assembly comprising a post frame defining a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side; a first guardrail strap mounted proximate to the first lateral side; a second guardrail strap mounted proximate to the second lateral side, the first guardrail strap and the second guardrail strap mounted at equal heights on the guardrail post assembly; and a guardrail attachment assembly mounted to the post frame, the guardrail attachment assembly comprising a strap mounting portion and locking portion, the first guardrail strap mounted on the strap mounting portion.

Additionally, disclosed is a guardrail post assembly comprising a post frame comprising a substantially vertical mounting post; a pillar attachment assembly comprising: a pillar attachment chain configured to wrap around a pillar; and a pillar attachment device mounted to the substantially vertical mounting post, the pillar attachment device comprising a chain attachment bracket and a bracket fastener threadedly engaging the chain attachment bracket, wherein the bracket fastener is rotatable relative to the chain attachment bracket to selectively tighten or loosen the pillar attachment chain around the pillar; a guardrail attachment assembly mounted to the post frame; and a guardrail strap mounted to the guardrail attachment assembly.

Disclosed is a post frame for guardrail post assembly, the post frame comprising a substantially vertical first mounting post arranged proximate a first lateral side of the post frame; a substantially vertical second mounting post arranged proximate a second lateral side of the post frame, opposite the first lateral side; an attachment housing coupled to and extending between the first mounting post and the second mounting post, the attachment housing configured to engage a guardrail attachment assembly; and a first wheel configured to permit the post frame to be rolled across a support surface.

Disclosed is a guardrail post assembly comprising a post frame; a pillar strap system mounted to the post frame and configured to couple the post frame to a first pillar, the pillar strap system comprising: a pillar attachment strap configured to wrap around the first pillar; and a ratchet assembly comprising a ratchet and a mounting tube, the pillar attachment strap mounted on the mounting tube; and a guardrail strap system mounted to the post frame and comprising: a guardrail strap configured to extend between the first pillar and a second pillar; and a second ratchet assembly comprising a second ratchet and a second mounting tube, the guardrail strap mounted on the second mounted tube.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed is a guardrail post assembly for a fall protection system and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of the guardrail post assembly can comprise a guardrail post, a guardrail, and a guardrail attachment assembly for attaching the guardrail to the guardrail post. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the guardrail post assembly is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

is a front perspective view of a fall protection system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The fall protection systemcan be secured to a structural component of a structure, such as a building structureunder construction, to prevent accidental falls from an elevated slabor elevated surface of the building structure. The structural component can be a substantially vertical pillar, for example and without limitation. The substantially vertical pillarcan define a substantially square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, as shown, or can define any other suitable cross-sectional shape, including but not limited to circular, triangular, etc. In the present aspect, the building structurecan comprise the elevated slaband at least one of the substantially vertical pillarsextending upward therefrom, and the fall protection systemcan be coupled to the at least one pillar.

According to example aspects, the elevated slabcan be, for example, an elevated floor slab. Elevated floor slabscan be found in a commercial building, for example and without limitation, such as high-rise offices and hotels. The pillarscan extend substantially vertically between the elevated floor slaband an elevated ceiling slab, to support the elevated ceiling slab above the elevated floor slab. Example aspects of the elevated floor slabcan comprise concrete or any other suitable material. The elevated floor slabcan be oriented substantially horizontally and can define an upper floor surfacefrom which the pillarscan extend. The elevated floor slabcan further define a peripheral edge, and the fall protection systemcan be mounted to pillarsat or near the peripheral edge. Thus, an upright boundaryformed by the fall protection systemcan prevent accidental falls off the elevated slabat the peripheral edgethereof. In some aspects, the fall protection systemcan extend fully along or around the peripheral edgeof the elevated slab. However, in other aspects, the fall protection systemmay extend only partially along or around the peripheral edge.

In the present aspect, the at least one pillarcan comprise a first pillarand a second pillarand the fall protection systemcan be coupled to and can extend between the first and second pillars. In other aspects, the building structurecan comprise more or fewer pillars. For example, the building structuremay comprise additional pillarsand the fall protection systemcan be coupled to and can extend between the additional pillars. Example aspects of such a fall protection systemare further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,753,836, issued on Sep. 12, 2023, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,795,713, issued on Oct. 24, 2023, each of which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Example aspects of the fall protection systemcan comprise a guardrail support frame. The guardrail support framecan comprise at least one substantially vertical guardrail post assembly. Each of the guardrail post assembliescan be secured to a corresponding one of the vertical pillars. For example, in the present aspect, the guardrail post assembliescan comprise at least a first guardrail post assemblysecured to the first pillarand a second guardrail post assemblysecured to the second pillarIn other aspects, the fall protection systemcan comprise more or fewer guardrail post assemblies. For example, the fall protection systemmay comprise additional guardrail post assemblies, each of which can be secured to an additional pillar.

The fall protection systemcan further comprising one or more lateral safety guardrailssupported by the guardrail support frame. In the present aspect, the lateral safety guardrailscan extend laterally between the first and second guardrail post assemblies, and thus, can extend between the first and second pillars. The lateral safety guardrailscan be oriented about horizontally, as shown in the present aspect, or can be oriented at an acute angle relative to horizontal. In the present aspect, each of the lateral safety guardrailscan be formed as a flexible guardrail strap. In other aspects, the lateral safety guardrailscan be semi-rigid or rigid.

In the present aspect, the guardrail strapscan comprise at least a first upper guardrail strapa first lower guardrail strapand a first middle guardrail strapdisposed between the first upper and lower guardrail straps. In example aspects, the first lower guardrail strapcan extend along and can touch or nearly touch the upper floor surface. The first lower guardrail strapcan define a height suitable to prevent loose objects (e.g., paint cans, tools, etc.) from rolling or sliding past the first lower guardrail strapand falling over the peripheral edgeof the elevated slab. Other aspects of the fall protection systemcan comprise more or fewer of the guardrail strapsextending between the first and second guardrail post assemblies. Example aspects of the guardrail strapscan comprise a plastic material, such as, for example, nylon webbing. In other aspects, the guardrail strapscan comprise any other suitable material known in the art. In some aspects, the guardrail strapscan be inelastic or semi-inelastic, while in other aspects, the guardrail strapscan be elastic. Additionally, in example aspects, a length of each guardrail strapcan be sized to accommodate varying distances between the first and second guardrail post assemblies

Example aspects of the guardrail support framecan further comprise one or more substantially vertical reinforcement post assemblies arranged between the adjacent guardrail post assemblies(e.g., the first and second guardrail post assemblies) and coupled to each of the guardrail straps. The reinforcement post assemblies can be freestanding (i.e., not attached to the building structure) and can provide reinforcement to the guardrail strapsbetween the adjacent guardrail post assemblies, which can be beneficial in building structureswherein a significant distance is defined between adjacent pillars. Example aspects of such reinforcement post assemblies are disclosed in disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,753,836, issued on Sep. 12, 2023, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,795,713, issued on Oct. 24, 2023, both previously incorporated by reference, and in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/598,777, filed Nov. 14, 2023, each of which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

According to example aspects, each of the guardrail strapscan be mounted to the first guardrail post assemblyby a corresponding guardrail attachment assembly. The guardrail attachment assembliescan be vertically spaced along a length of the first guardrail post assemblyas shown. In example aspects, each of the guardrail strapscan be rolled up on the corresponding guardrail attachment assembly. To extend each of the guardrail strapsfrom the first guardrail post assemblyto the second guardrail post assemblythe guardrail strapcan be unrolled or partially unrolled by pulling a free endof the guardrail straptowards the second guardrail post assemblyThe free endcan be releasably secured to the second guardrail post assemblyand the guardrail strapcan be held taut between the first and second guardrail post assemblies, as described in further detail below. With the guardrail strapsextended between the first and second guardrail post assemblies, the fall protection systemcan define the substantially upright boundarybetween the first and second pillars, as shown. In other aspects, the free endof each guardrail strapcan be releasably secured to any other suitable post assembly of the guardrail support frame, such as one of the reinforcement post assemblies for example and without limitation.

Example aspects of the fall protection systemcan further comprise one or more pillar attachment assemblies. Each of the pillar attachment assembliescan be configured to couple a corresponding one of the guardrail post assembliesto the corresponding vertical pillar. Securing the upright boundaryto the vertical pillarscan prevent movement thereof and ensure safe and proper functioning of the fall protection system. For example, the pillar attachment assembliescan comprise a first pillar attachment assemblycoupling the first guardrail post assemblyto the first pillarand a second pillar attachment assemblycoupling the second guardrail post assemblyto the second pillarAs shown, each pillar attachment assemblycan comprise a pillar attachment beltand one or more pillar attachment devicecoupling the pillar attachment beltto the guardrail post assembly.

Each pillar attachment devicecan be mounted to the corresponding guardrail post assembly, and the corresponding pillar attachment beltcan extend from the pillar attachment deviceand wrap tautly around the corresponding pillar. The pillar attachment beltcan be an attachment strap(as shown in), an attachment chain(as shown in), or any other suitable belting device. In the present aspect, only one of the pillar attachment assembliessecures each of the first and second guardrail post assembliesto the corresponding first and second pillars. However, in other aspects, the fall protection systemcan comprise additional pillar attachment assembliesfor securing each of the first and second guardrail post assembliesto the first and second pillars. According to example aspects, a length of each pillar attachment beltcan be sized to accommodate pillarsof varying thicknesses.

illustrate a rear perspective view and a front perspective view, respectively, of one of the guardrail post assemblies, according to another example aspect of the present disclosure. In example aspects, each of the guardrail post assembliescan define a front post side, a rear post sideopposite the front post side, a first lateral post side, a second lateral post sideopposite the first lateral post side, an upper post end, and a lower post endopposite the upper post end. The lower post endcan generally confront or rest on the upper floor surface(shown in), and the guardrail post assemblycan extend substantially vertically upward therefrom.

In example aspects, the guardrail post assemblycan comprise a movement mechanismarranged at the lower post endto facilitate moving the guardrail post assemblyacross the upper floor surfaceof the elevated floor slabto a desired position adjacent to the corresponding vertical pillar(each of,, andshown in). For example, in the present aspect, the movement mechanismcan comprise a pair of wheelsthat can permit the guardrail post assemblyto be rolled across the upper floor surface. In other aspects, the guardrail post assemblycan comprise any other suitable rolling, sliding, or gliding movement mechanismto facilitate moving the guardrail post assembly. The wheelscan be arranged at the front post side(as shown), with a first one of the wheelspositioned proximate to the first lateral post sideand a second one of the wheelspositioned proximate to the second lateral post side. In other aspects, the pair of wheelscan be positioned in any other suitable arrangement.

Example aspects of the guardrail post assemblycan comprise a post frame. The post framecan comprise one or more substantially vertical mounting posts. In the present aspect, the guardrail post assemblycan comprise a substantially vertical first mounting postproximate to the first lateral post sideand a substantially vertical second mounting postparallel to the first mounting postand proximate to the second lateral post side. Each of the mounting postscan extend substantially from the lower post endto the upper post end. Each of the wheelscan be mounted to a corresponding one of the first and second mounting postsby a wheel bracket. In example aspects, each of the mounting postscan be substantially tubular and can define a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. In other aspects, the mounting postscan define any other suitable cross-sectional shape. Example aspects of the mounting postscan comprise a metal material, such as steel. In some aspects, the mounting postscan be formed as extruded steel posts. In other aspects, the mounting postscan comprise any other suitable material known in the art, including but not limited to other metals, and/or can be manufactured using any other desired method. In other aspects, the mounting postscan comprise a non-metal material.

In some aspects, the guardrail post assemblycan comprise an outer sleevemounted to each of the mounting posts, with the corresponding mounting postextending therethrough. The outer sleevescan be substantially cylindrical, as shown. The guardrail post assemblycan further comprise one or more of the guardrail straps, each of which can be mounted to the guardrail post assemblyby the corresponding guardrail attachment assembly. In the present aspect, the guardrail strapscan comprise the first upper guardrail strapthe first middle guardrail strapand the first lower guardrail strapThe first upper, middle, and lower guardrail strapscan be mounted to guardrail post assemblyproximate to the first mounting postand the first lateral post side. Additionally, in the present aspect, the guardrail strapscan further comprise a second upper guardrail strapa second middle guardrail strapand a second lower guardrail strapThe second upper, middle, and lower guardrail strapscan be mounted to the guardrail post assemblyproximate to the second mounting postand the second lateral post side. In some aspects, as shown, the first lower guardrail strapand the second lower guardrail strapcan be mounted on the guardrail post assemblyat equal heights, the first middle guardrail strapand the second middle guardrail strapcan be mounted on the guardrail post assemblyat equal heights, and the first upper guardrail strapand the second upper guardrail strapcan be mounted on the guardrail post assemblyat equal heights.

Example aspects of the post framecan further comprise one or more attachment housingsmounted to and extending laterally between the first and second mounting posts. In the present aspect, the one or more attachment housingscan comprise an upper attachment housingproximate to the upper post end, a lower attachment housingproximate to the lower post end, and a middle attachment housingtherebetween. In some aspects, each of the attachment housingscan comprise an upper housing plate, a lower housing plateopposite the upper housing plate, a front housing wall(shown in), a rear housing wallopposite the front housing wall, a first housing sidewall, and a second housing sidewallopposite the first housing sidewall.

The post framecan further comprise one or more mounting platesmounted to and extending laterally between the first and second mounting posts. In the present aspect, the one or more mounting platescan comprise an upper mounting plateproximate to the upper post end, a lower mounting plateproximate to the lower post end, and a middle mounting platetherebetween. According to example aspects, each of the upper, middle, and lower attachment housingscan be arranged vertically above the corresponding upper, middle, and lower mounting plates, respectively.

The first upper guardrail strapand the second upper guardrail strapcan be mounted to the guardrail post assemblyby the corresponding guardrail attachment assemblybetween the upper attachment housingand the upper mounting plateThe first middle guardrail strapand the second middle guardrail strapcan be mounted to the guardrail post assemblyby the corresponding guardrail attachment assemblybetween the middle attachment housingand the middle mounting plateAs shown, the first middle guardrail strapand the second middle guardrail strapcan be arranged at a middle post regionof the guardrail post assemblybetween the upper post endand the lower post end. The first lower guardrail strapand the second lower guardrail strapcan be mounted to the guardrail post assemblyby the corresponding guardrail attachment assemblybetween the lower attachment housingand the lower mounting plate

Each of the guardrail strapscan be rolled up around the corresponding guardrail attachment assembly, prior to extending the guardrail strapsto form the upright boundary(shown in). Each of the guardrail strapscan define the corresponding free end, which can be pulled laterally outward away from the guardrail post assemblyto unravel and extend the guardrail strap. In example aspects, the free endof each guardrail strapcan be coupled to a strap connector, as shown. The strap connectorcan define a connector slotthrough which the free endof the guardrail strapcan pass and an attachment hookfor coupling the strap connectorof the extended guardrail strapto another one of the guardrail post assemblies, a reinforcement post assembly, or other suitable post assembly.

The guardrail post assemblycan further comprise the pillar attachment assemblyfor coupling the guardrail post assemblyto the vertical pillar(shown in). As shown, the pillar attachment assemblycan comprise a pillar attachment beltand a pair of pillar attachment devicescoupling the pillar attachment beltto the guardrail post assembly. In the present aspect, the pillar attachment beltcan be the attachment chaincomprising a plurality of chain links. A first chain endof the attachment chaincan be coupled to a first pillar attachment deviceof the pair of pillar attachment devices, and a second chain endof the attachment chainopposite the first chain endcan be coupled to a second pillar attachment deviceof the pair of pillar attachment devices.

The first pillar attachment devicecan be coupled to the first mounting postof the guardrail post assembly, and the second pillar attachment devicecan be coupled to the second mounting postIn example aspects, the first pillar attachment devicecan be coupled to the first mounting postbetween the upper mounting plateand the middle attachment housingSimilarly, the second pillar attachment devicecan be coupled to the second mounting postbetween the upper mounting plateand the middle attachment housingIn other aspects, the first and second pillar attachment devicescan be mounted at any other suitable location on the guardrail post assembly. An intermediate chain portionbetween the first chain endand the second chain endcan extend rearwardly from the guardrail post assemblyand can be wrapped around the corresponding vertical pillar. In example aspects, the attachment chaincan be selectively tightened, as described in further detail below, to tautly hug the pillar. According to example aspects, the attachment chaincan be flexible to allow the attachment chainto conform to pillarsof any cross-sectional shape, including, for example and without limitation, circular, triangular, rectangular, and the like.

Example aspects of the guardrail post assemblycan further comprise one or more substantially vertical spine postsfor reinforcing the guardrail post assembly. For example, the guardrail post assemblycan comprise a laterally adjacent pair of the spine postsarranged proximate to the rear post sidethereof. The laterally adjacent pair of the spine postscan be positioned about centrally between the first lateral post sideand the second lateral post sideas shown. In the present aspect, each of the spine postscan extend upward from the lower attachment housingthrough the middle mounting platethe middle attachment housingthe upper mounting plateand the upper attachment housingand upward beyond the upper attachment housingExample aspects of the spine postscan be substantially hollow, and in the present aspect, can define a substantially square or rectangular cross-sectional shape. In other aspects, the spine postscan define any other suitable shape. In some aspects, the spine postscan be formed as extruded steel posts. In other aspects, the spine postscan comprise any other suitable material known in the art, including but not limited to other metals, and/or can be manufactured using any other desired method. In other aspects, the spine postscan comprise a non-metal material.

In some example aspects, as shown, the guardrail post assemblycan comprise a handle barmounted to and extending through each of the spine postsat an upper spine endthereof. The handle barcan define a first handle portionextending laterally outward from the pair of spine poststowards the first lateral post sideand a second handle portionextending laterally outward from the pair of spine poststowards the second lateral post side. In some aspects, each of the first handle portionand the second handle portioncan comprise a rubber grip. The first and second handle portions,of the handle barcan be gripped by an operator to facilitate guiding the movement of the guardrail post assemblyas the guardrail post assemblyis rolled across the upper floor surfaceon the wheels.

illustrate detail rear and front perspective views, respectively, the pillar attachment assemblyof the guardrail post assembly. The pillar attachment assemblycan comprise the pillar attachment belt(e.g., the attachment chain) and the pair of pillar attachment devices. The first pillar attachment device(shown in) can be coupled to the first mounting post(shown in), and the second pillar attachment devicecan be coupled to the second mounting post(shown in). The first chain end(shown in) of the attachment chaincan be coupled to the first pillar attachment deviceand the second chain endof the attachment chaincan be coupled to the second pillar attachment deviceThe intermediate chain portionbetween the first chain endand the second chain endcan extend rearwardly from the guardrail post assembly. The intermediate chain portioncan be selectively tightened around the corresponding vertical pillar(shown in) to securely attach the guardrail post assemblythereto.

According to example aspects, each of the pillar attachment devicescan comprise a post mounting bracketand a chain attachment bracket. The chain attachment bracketcan be secured to the post mounting bracketby a bracket fastener, and the attachment chaincan be coupled to the chain attachment bracket. The post mounting bracketcan be secured to the corresponding mounting post(shown in) to attach the pillar attachment deviceto the guardrail post assembly. More specifically, in some aspects, the post mounting bracketcan be attached to the outer sleevemounted on the mounting post. In other aspects, the post mounting bracketmay not be attached to the outer sleeveand can be attached directly to the mounting post.

In some example aspects, either or both of the post mounting bracketand the chain attachment bracketcan comprise a metal material, such as steel for example and without limitation. More specifically, in some aspects, either or both of the post mounting bracketand the chain attachment bracketcan be formed by laser-cutting and bending monolithic steel plates. However, in other aspects, the post mounting bracketand/or the chain attachment bracketmay not be monolithically formed (i.e., formed a singular component that constitutes a single material without joints or seams) and/or may be manufactured using other desired methods, such as stamping, casting, or machining. In other aspects, the post mounting bracketand/or the chain attachment bracketcan comprise any other suitable material or combination of materials having suitable durability, such as, for example, other metals, plastics, composites, and the like.

The post mounting bracketcan comprise a mounting portiondefining a bracket openingthrough which the outer sleeve(and the mounting posttherein) can extend. The mounting portioncan be arranged substantially horizontally, relative to the orientation shown. According to example aspects, the post mounting bracketcan further comprise a fastener sleeve(shown in) coupled to the mounting portion. The fastener sleevecan be substantially tubular and can be configured to receive a portion of the bracket fastenertherethrough. In example aspects, the post mounting bracket, including the mounting portionand the fastener sleeve, can be monolithically formed. For example, in the present aspect, the post mounting bracketcan be bent relative to the mounting portioninto a tubular shape at an inner bracket end(shown in) of the post mounting bracketto define the fastener sleeve. The bracket fastenercan be a threaded boltin the present aspect; however, in other aspects, the bracket fastenercan be any other suitable fastener known in the art. The threaded boltcan comprise a bolt headand a threaded shaft. The threaded shaftcan extend from the bolt headthrough the fastener sleeve, towards the chain attachment bracket. The bolt headcan be sized to prevent the bolt headfrom passing through the fastener sleeve.

The chain attachment bracketcan be substantially L-shaped in the present aspect, and can be arranged substantially vertically, relative to the orientation shown. The L-shaped chain attachment bracketcan define an adjustment portionand an attachment portionoriented substantially perpendicular to the adjustment portion. In example aspects, the chain attachment bracket, including the adjustment portionand the attachment portion, can be monolithically formed. For example, in the present aspect, the adjustment portioncan be bent relative to the attachment portionto define the L-shape of the chain attachment bracket.

The adjustment portioncan be configured to slidably engage the mounting portionof the post mounting bracket. For example, as shown, the adjustment portioncan define an adjustment slotconfigured to slidably receive a rearward edgeof the mounting portion. The attachment portioncan define a fastener openingfor receiving the bracket fastenerto couple the chain attachment bracketto the post mounting bracket. The attachment portioncan further define a chain slotfor receiving the attachment chainto couple the attachment chainto the chain attachment bracket. In example aspects, the chain slotcan be a key-hole chain slot. The key-hole chain slotcan define a wide portionand a narrow portionin communication with the wide portion. In some aspects, the fastener openingcan be arranged opposite the wide portionand can also be in communication with the narrow portion.

To couple the attachment chainto the pillar attachment device, the corresponding first chain endor second chain endcan be fed through the wide portionof the key-hole chain slotof the chain attachment bracket. One of the chain linkscan then be dropped down from the wide portioninto the narrow portionof the key-hole chain slot. As with any standard-type chain, the chain linksof the attachment chaincan be connected together such that the chain linksalternate orientations (e.g., one chain linkin a substantially vertical orientation, the next in a substantially horizontal orientation, the next in the substantially vertical orientation, and so on). As shown, the chain linkreceived in the narrow portioncan be oriented in the substantially vertical orientation, and the narrow portioncan be sized to prevent the adjacent chain linksin the substantially horizontal orientation from passing therethrough.

The attachment chaincan be wrapped tautly around the corresponding vertical pillarand then be secured to each of the pillar attachment devicesas described. The attachment chaincan then further be tightened around the vertical pillarby sliding each of the chain attachment bracketsof each pillar attachment devicetowards the corresponding post mounting bracket. According to example aspects, a threaded nutcan be attached to the chain attachment bracket. The threaded nutcan be mounted within the fastener openingof the attachment portionin the present aspect. In example aspects, each of the threaded nutand the fastener openingcan be substantially hexagonal in shape, which can prohibit the threaded nutfrom rotating relative to the attachment portion. The threaded shaftof the bracket fastenercan extend through the fastener sleeveof the post mounting bracketand can threadedly engage the threaded nutof the chain attachment bracket. The bracket fastenercan be rotated to advance the threaded shaftof the threaded boltthrough the threaded nut, drawing the threaded nutand the chain attachment brackettowards the post mounting bracket. As chain attachment bracketis drawn towards the post mounting bracket, the mounting portionof the post mounting bracketcan slide further into the adjustment slotof the chain attachment bracket. The bracket fastenercan be tightened until the attachment chainis suitably taut around the vertical pillar.

illustrates a front perspective view of the pillar attachment assemblyof the guardrail post assembly. According to example aspects, one or both of the spine postscan define a storage opening. In the present aspect, each of the spine postscan define one of the storage openingsat a location between the upper mounting plate(shown in) and the middle attachment housingproximate to the pillar attachment assembly. The storage openingscan allow access to a hollow interiorof the corresponding spine post. In example aspects, any excess length of the attachment chaincan be fed into the hollow interiorof either of the spine posts, through the corresponding storage opening, for storage of the attachment chainwhen the guardrail post assemblyis not in use.