Landfill debris barrier system

Abstract

A landfill debris barrier system includes a plurality of upstanding columns. The columns are arranged in a row in which adjacent ones of the columns define a pair of columns, each pair of columns defining a space therebetween. A plurality of barrier assemblies are included with each barrier assembly being associated with one of the pairs of columns. Each barrier assembly includes a barrier extending between and in the space defined by said associated pair of columns. The barrier is movable between an operative position and a retracted position. In the operative position, the barrier has a first height and a first width that substantially corresponds to a height and a width of the space to substantially fill the space between the associated pair of columns such that opposite front and rear faces of the barrier block the space between the associated pair of columns to obstruct passage through the space defined by the associated pair of columns. In the retracted position, the barrier has a second height that is less than the first height to permit a human operator to reach an upper portion of the barrier to perform maintenance on the upper portion of the barrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A landfill debris barrier system comprising:
 a plurality of upstanding columns, the columns arranged in a row in which adjacent ones of the columns define a pair of columns, each pair of columns defining a space therebetween;   a plurality of barrier assemblies, each barrier assembly associated with one of the pairs of columns, each barrier assembly including a barrier extending between and in the space defined by said associated pair of columns, the barrier movable between an operative position and a retracted position, wherein in the operative position the barrier has a first height and a first width that substantially corresponds to a height and a width of the space to substantially fill the space between the associated pair of columns such that opposite front and rear faces of the barrier block the space between the associated pair of columns to obstruct passage through the space defined by the associated pair of columns, and wherein in the retracted position the barrier has a second height that is less than the first height to permit a human operator to reach an upper portion of the barrier to perform maintenance on the upper portion of the barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein each barrier assembly includes at least one elevator operatively coupled to the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly and configured to move the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         3 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one elevator comprises a first side elevator operatively coupled to a first side of the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly and a second side elevator operatively coupled to a second side of the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly that is opposite the first side. 
     
     
         4 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second side elevators raise the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly toward the operative position and lower the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly toward the retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 2 , wherein each elevator includes an actuator for operating the respective elevator to move the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         6 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle configured to be manually moved by the operator. 
     
     
         7 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotary linkage configured to be operatively coupled to a prime mover to rotate the rotary linkage and operate the respective elevator. 
     
     
         8 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one elevator comprises a winch. 
     
     
         9 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 2 , wherein each barrier assembly includes a support beam supporting the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly, the support beam of the corresponding barrier assembly being operatively coupled to the at least one elevator of the corresponding barrier assembly, the at least one elevator of the corresponding barrier assembly configured to move the support beam of the corresponding barrier assembly to move the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         10 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 2 , wherein each barrier assembly includes at least one prime mover, each prime mover operatively coupled to a respective one of the at least one elevator of the corresponding barrier assembly for operating said respective elevator of the corresponding barrier assembly to move the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         11 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 10 , further comprising a user interface communicatively coupled to the at least one prime mover of each barrier assembly, the user interface configured to operate the at least one prime mover of each barrier assembly to move the barrier of each barrier assembly between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         12 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface comprises an application for a portable smart device. 
     
     
         13 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein each barrier assembly includes a first side guide supported by one column of the associated pair of columns and a second side guide supported by the other column of the associated pair of columns, the first side guide connected to a first side of the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly for guiding the first side of the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly as the barrier moves between the operative and retracted positions, and the second side guide connected to a second side of the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly that is opposite the first side for guiding the second side of the barrier as the barrier moves between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         14 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 13 , wherein each barrier assembly includes at least one elevator operatively coupled to the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly and configured to raise the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly toward the operative position and lower the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly toward the retracted position. 
     
     
         15 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 14 , wherein each barrier assembly includes a support beam attached to the upper end of the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly, the support beam of the corresponding barrier assembly being operatively coupled to the at least one elevator of the corresponding barrier assembly, the at least one elevator of the corresponding barrier assembly configured to raise and lower the support beam of the corresponding barrier assembly to move the barrier of the corresponding barrier assembly between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         16 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one elevator of each barrier assembly comprises a winch. 
     
     
         17 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 16 , wherein winch of each barrier assembly comprises a rotary linkage configured to be operatively coupled to a prime mover to rotate the rotary linkage and operate the respective winch. 
     
     
         18 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second side guides each comprise a cable extending along the respective columns of the pair of columns, the barrier including a first set of followers along the first side of the barrier and a second set of followers along the second side of the barrier, the first set of followers coupled to the cable of the first side guide and the second set of followers coupled to the cable of the second side guide, the first and second sets of followers configured to move along their respective cables of the first and second side guides when the corresponding barrier is moved between the operative and retracted positions. 
     
     
         19 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein each barrier assembly includes an anchor connected to a lower end of the barrier, the anchor configured to hold the lower end of the barrier adjacent to lower ends of the corresponding adjacent two columns. 
     
     
         20 . The landfill debris barrier system of  claim 1 , wherein in the retracted position the second height of the barrier is less than ten feet.