Entrance barricade for vehicles using loading docks, and the like

Abstract

A sturdy, very low maintenance barrier defines width and height dimensions for use by vehicles such as semi-trucks, and the like, on loading docks. A pair of parallel vertical side members defines an entrance with, and an upper horizontal member connected therebetween, defines a vertical extent. The various members are preferably comprised of rigid metallic pipes covered by resilient polymeric material. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a pair of vertical side members onto which there is installed a horizontal member having a length that extends beyond the outermost extent of the side members. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical members extend vertically higher than the vertical extent of the horizontal member. In a further alternative embodiment, the height may be adjusted or the area defined by the vertical and horizontal members entirely restricted to vehicle traffic, preferably through the use of multiple horizontal members spanning the vertical members.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A barrier defining a width and height for vehicles as might be found on a loading dock, comprising: 
 a pair of vertical side members, each composed of metallic elements covered by a polymeric sheathing; and    a horizontal member, also comprised of a metallic element covered by polymeric sheathing, spanning the two vertical members,    the horizontal member defining a height distance with respect to the loading platform into which the vertical members are received.    
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal member has a length which extends beyond the outermost extent of the vertical side members.  
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical side members have a length which extends beyond the upper extent of the horizontal member.  
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical side members and the horizontal member are attached by way of a removable fastener.  
     
     
         5 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical side members and the horizontal member are attached by way of a saddle weld.