Sound Arresting Barrier Having A Spacer Bracket

Abstract

A sound barrier includes a plurality of vertically extending posts, wherein each post has an I-shaped cross section defined by a central web and spaced apart pairs of flanges that define oppositely disposed channels for receiving the end portions of sound wall sections. At least one wall section may be received within each channel. The wall sections may have a thickness that is less than the width of the respective channel, so that a space or gap is created between the wall section and one of the flanges of the post. At least one bracket is positioned in the space and attached to the wall section to retain the wall section within the channel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sound barrier, comprising:
 a plurality of vertically extending posts, each post having a generally I-shaped cross section defined by a central structural web and spaced apart pairs of flanges extending generally perpendicular to said central web to define first and second oppositely disposed channels along said post for receiving a distal end portion of a wall section therein such that said wall section is retained between adjacent, spaced posts;   at least one wall section received in said channel of at least one of said plurality of posts;   wherein said wall section comprises a thickness that is substantially less than a width of said channel, such that a space is defined between said wall section and one of said flanges; and   at least one first bracket positioned within said space and attached to said wall section;   wherein said first bracket comprises a base portion and first and second arms perpendicular to said base portion, and wherein said first arm is substantially longer than said second arm.   
     
     
         2 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said first arm of said first bracket engages said wall section and said second arm of said first bracket engages a stop surface such that said wall section is positioned within said channel and engages one of said flanges of said post. 
     
     
         3 . The sound barrier of  claim 2 , wherein said stop surface is one of said flanges of said post. 
     
     
         4 . The sound barrier of  claim 2 , wherein said stop surface is defined by a second bracket coupled with said post. 
     
     
         5 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said first arm of said first bracket is coupled to said wall section. 
     
     
         6 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one second bracket coupled to said central web of at least one of said posts and cooperating with at least one of said flanges to define a space for receiving said wall section therebetween, said bracket including a first leg extending along said central web, and a second leg extending perpendicular to said central web;
 wherein said first bracket is positioned between said wall section and said second bracket.   
     
     
         7 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said wall section or said first bracket comprises glass-reinforced polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shim positioned between said second arm of said first bracket and said flange. 
     
     
         9 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one elongate post cover coupled with one of said plurality of posts and disposed over an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The sound barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a post cap having an open end;   said post cap received on an upper, free end of one of said plurality of posts with said free end of said post extending within said open end of said post cap.   
     
     
         11 . A method of retrofitting a sound barrier, comprising:
 inserting at least one wall section into a channel of at least one post, wherein the post has a generally I-shaped cross section defined by a central structural web and spaced apart flanges extending generally perpendicular to the central web to define the channel along the post;   wherein the wall section has a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the channel, such that a space is defined between the wall section and one of the flanges; and   operatively coupling at least one first bracket with the wall section and the post in the space, wherein the first bracket comprises a base portion and first and second arms perpendicular to the base portion, and wherein the first arm is substantially longer than the second arm.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 engaging the first arm of the first bracket with the wall section; and   engaging the second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface such that the wall section is positioned within the channel and engages a flange of the post.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein engaging the second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface includes engaging the second arm with a flange of the post. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein engaging the second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface includes engaging the second arm with a second bracket that is coupled with the central structural web. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein operatively coupling the first bracket includes coupling the first arm of the first bracket to the wall section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each post further includes at least one second bracket coupled to the central web of the post and including a first leg extending along the central web and a second leg extending perpendicular to the central web, and wherein inserting at least one first bracket within the space includes inserting the first bracket between the second leg of the second bracket and the wall section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising inserting at least one shim between the second arm of the first bracket and the flange. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing a per-existing panel retained by the post before inserting at least one wall section into the channel of the post.