Balcony blockout insert

Abstract

A balcony blockout insert is sized to engage a preformed blockout hole and includes a plurality of contact foot members that are in connection with respective pivot arms and structured to extend outwardly against the inner surfaces of the blockout hole by rotating a tensioning bolt in a clockwise direction using a tensioning wrench. Each contact foot member includes one or more resilient pads for engaging the unique contour of the sidewalls (e.g. circular, square, etc.) of the blockout hole to form an anchor point for a temporary railing post. The blockout insert includes a receiver boot for engaged receipt of a temporary post. The blockout insert is removed by turning the tensioning bolt in the counter-clockwise direction using the tensioning wrench, which causes the contact foot members to retract inwards and away from the sidewalls of the blockout hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A balcony block insert device for supporting a post over a blockout hole in a surface, said balcony blockout insert device comprising:
 a base plate having a top side and a bottom side, and said base plate including an opening extending between the top and bottom sides;   a receiving boot on the top side of said base plate, and said receiving boot having a plurality of sidewalls surrounding an internal caivty and an open top end for accessing the internal cavity, and the internal cavity being sized and configured for engaged receipt of the post through the open top end;   an expansion assembly on the bottom side of said base plate, said expansion assembly being sized and configured for insertion into the blockout hole when said base plate is positioned above the blockout hole, and said expansion assembly comprising:
 a lower thruster member and an upper thruster member each being connected to the bottom side of said base plate, and each of said lower and upper thruster members having an opening that is in vertical alignment with the opening in said base plate; 
 a plurality of lower pivot arms each being in pivoted connection with said lower thruster member; 
 a plurality of upper pivot arms each being in pivoted connection with said upper thruster member; and 
 a plurality of contact foot members each being in pivoted connection with one of said plurality of lower pivot arms and one of said plurality of upper pivot arms; and 
   a tensioning bolt having a top end and a threaded shaft that is sized and configured for passage through the opening on each of said base plate, said lower thruster member and said upper thruster member, and wherein rotation of said tensioning bolt in one direction causes said lower thruster member to move upwards along the threaded shaft and force each of said plurality of lower and upper pivot arms to pivot such that each of said plurality of contact foot members extend outwardly until engaging the inner surface wall of the blockout hole.   
     
     
         2 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 1  wherein rotation of said tensioning bolt in the opposite direction causes said lower thruster member to move downwards along the threaded shaft and force each of said plurality of lower and upper pivot arms to pivot such that each of said plurality of contact foot members retract inwardly. 
     
     
         3 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a tensioning wrench having a distal end that is sized to frictionally engage the top end of said tensioning bolt to allow for easy rotation of said tensioning bolt using said tensioning wrench. 
     
     
         4 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the opening in said lower thruster is threaded. 
     
     
         5 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said receiving boot has an aperture extending through one of the plurality of sidewalls, and said aperture being sized for passage of a fastening bolt for engaging the post. 
     
     
         6 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of contact foot members includes at least one resilient pad for engaging the inner surface wall of the blockout hole. 
     
     
         7 . A balcony block insert device for supporting a post over a blockout hole in a surface, said balcony blockout insert device comprising:
 a base plate having a top side and a bottom side, and said base plate including an opening extending between the top and bottom sides;   a receiving boot on the top side of said base plate, and said receiving boot having a plurality of sidewalls surrounding an internal caivty and an open top end for accessing the internal cavity, and the internal cavity being sized and configured for engaged receipt of the post through the open top end;   an expansion assembly on the bottom side of said base plate, said expansion assembly being sized and configured for insertion into the blockout hole when said base plate is positioned above the blockout hole, and said expansion assembly comprising:
 a lower thruster member and an upper thruster member each being connected to the bottom side of said base plate, and each of said lower and upper thruster members having an opening that is in vertical alignment with the opening in said base plate; 
 a first, second, third and fourth lower pivot arm each being in pivoted connection with said lower thruster member; 
 a first, second, third and fourth upper pivot arm each being in pivoted connection with said upper thruster member; and 
 a first, second, third and fourth contact foot member each being in pivoted connection with a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth lower pivot arms and a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth upper pivot arms; and 
   a tensioning bolt having a top end and a threaded shaft that is sized and configured for passage through the opening on each of said base plate, said lower thruster member and said upper thruster member, and wherein rotation of said tensioning bolt in one direction causes said lower thruster member to rise and force each of said first, second, third and fourth lower and upper pivot arms to pivot such that each of said first, second, third and fourth contact foot members extend outwardly until engaging the inner surface wall of the blockout hole.   
     
     
         8 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 7  wherein rotation of said tensioning bolt in the opposite direction causes said lower thruster member to move downwards along the threaded shaft and force each of said first, second, third and fourth lower and upper pivot arms to pivot such that each of said first, second, third and fourth contact foot members retract inwardly. 
     
     
         9 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 7  further comprising a tensioning wrench having a distal end that is sized to frictionally engage the top end of said tensioning bolt to allow for easy rotation of said tensioning bolt using said tensioning wrench. 
     
     
         10 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 7  wherein the opening in said lower thruster is threaded. 
     
     
         11 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said receiving boot has an aperture extending through one of the plurality of sidewalls, and said aperture being sized for passage of a fastening bolt for engaging the post. 
     
     
         12 . The balcony blockout insert device as recited in  claim 7  wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth contact foot members includes at least one resilient pad for engaging the inner surface wall of the blockout hole.