Portable safety barrier

Abstract

A portable safety barrier that can be set up across a drive way or other path to provide a visible and physical indication of a safe zone boundary particularly for children. Netting attached to a core or reel disposed in a housing forms the barrier. The netting is free to deploy from the housing for attachment to a remote post; both the housing and post including an auger for anchoring the housing and post to ground. The housing has a rewind system to reel in the netting which includes a gear train for mechanical advantage. The rewind system operates manually and with out a bias assist. A selectively operated stop cooperates with the rewind system to tighten the netting after deployment and keeps the netting taut.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a barrier as may be set up as a temporary boundary to discourage movement into or out of a restricted or dangerous area. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable apparatus used to set a barrier that works to identify the boundary of a safe zone, particularly for children, and to discourage passage into or out of the zone.

2. Description of Related Art

Children at play are often oblivious to dangers inherent in spontaneous activity. For example, children often are apt to pursue a ball, toy or pet and not recognize that the pursuit is leading to an unsafe area. For this reason, various types of apparatus are available to set temporary barriers to at least discourage a child from venturing out of a safe play area. Such apparatus can be used to establish a temporary barrier across a driveway or other path to discourage children from venturing out of a safe area or to provide a visible indication of the limits of a safe play area. When placed across a driveway, the barrier will warn vehicles not to enter. In the case of small children, the barrier can be set up in a park or back yard setting to confine the child to a safe area.

A barrier of this type generally is readily portable and is easy to set up. A typical portable apparatus of this type includes net that is deployed to establish a physical barrier so to prevent the passage of a young child. In the case of older children, the deployed net provides a visual reference as to the limit of the safe or permitted area and acts to warn the child that the allowed limit of travel in a given direction has been reached.

Portable safety barriers of this type most commonly employ a net that is extended between and supported by upright posts. The posts either are driven into the ground or have weighted feet to keep them upright. In some cases the net simply is wound onto one or both of the posts and is unwound to stretch it into a barrier position.

In another version, the net disposed on a reel element that is journaled within one of the posts for compact storage. As the net is extended from the reel, the reel rotates against a bias. Once extended, a second post is firmly rooted to ground. The bias applies a rewind force to the reel that keeps the extended net taut between the posts and provides a rewinding assist.

A draw back of this arrangement is that the rewind bias increases in direct proportion to the length of net that is extended so the rewind force is at its maximum at the full extension of the net. In a conventional application this length can be fifteen feet or more. Accordingly, once the second post is uprooted, the net must be held in a firm grip so as not to lose control during rewinding. Otherwise, if the net and post are left free to move, the bias can rewind the net with such force that damage to person or property can result.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved portable safety barrier apparatus that has its supply of barrier netting stored in a compact manner, is easily set up, maintains the net barrier taut when extended to a barrier position and is easily taken down and stored.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The portable safety barrier apparatus of the present invention includes a length of netting for forming a temporary barrier. The apparatus includes a frame or housing with a core journaled to the frame. This forms a first or main post. One end of the net is fixed to the core and the core forms a reel on which the net is wound for storage.

To deploy the net, the main post is placed upright and anchored to ground. The free end of the net is gripped and pulled to unwind a length from the core. The core is unbiased so there is no rewind force resisting the unwinding of the net and its extension from the housing. When the desired length of net is deployed, the free end is attached to a remote post also anchored to ground.

The frame includes a manually operated rewind system both to apply tension to the net so it establishes a taut barrier when deployed and to rewind the net after use. The rewind system includes a gear train that provides a mechanical advantage to facilitate the manual rewinding of the net onto the core. The system also includes a one-way stop that is selectively engaged after the net is deployed to prevent the further extension of the net from the core. After the stop is engaged, operation of the rewind system causes the net to tighten between the remote post and the frame. The stop is released to allow easier rewinding of the net back to a stored position on the core.

Accordingly, the portable safety barrier may be characterized in one aspect thereof by

a) a frame disposable in an upright position;

b) a net reel rotatably mounted to the frame;

c) an elongated net wound on the net reel, the net having one end fixed to the net reel and an opposite end;

d) a bias-free drive system carried by the frame and operatively connected to the net reel, the drive system allowing free unbiased rotation of the net reel in an unwind direction for extending the net from the frame and the drive system being manually operated to rotate the net reel in a winding direction for rewinding the net onto the net reel;

e) the drive system including a one-way stop selectively engaged to prevent rotation of the net reel in the unwind direction; and

f) a support post paired with the frame and movable to a location spaced from the frame and attachable to the net opposite end.

In a further configuration, the portable safety barrier contemplates a receiver that can be augered into the ground to operably retain the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable safety barrier of the present invention in a deployed position; and

FIG. 2 is a view partly broken away and in section showing the rewind system of the portable safety barrier of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a supply side holder for releasably engaging a portion of the frame.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a fixed side holder for releasably engaging a corresponding portion of the frame.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the supply side holder showing engagement with a releasable lever.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a particular configuration of the portable safety barrier of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of the portable safety barrier of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the portable safety barrier apparatus of the present invention generally indicated at 10. The apparatus includes a frame or housing 12 formed by a generally tubular outer shell 14. The shell lower end 16 has or is releaseably received in a supply side holder 18. An auger 20 extends from a lower surface of the supply side holder 18 to facilitate the anchoring of the main housing to ground. The housing 12 represents the main support post of the barrier.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the supply side holder 18 can be screwed, or augered into the ground via the auger 20. The supply side holder 18 includes a cup or sleeve shape recess to receive the frame 10. The supply side holder 18 can include a pair of collinear apertures 19 sized to receive a lever or rod 62 for increasing leverage on the auger 20 to assist in engaging the ground.

The outer shell 14 has an elongated slot 22. Extending through the slot is a barrier net 24. The net has one end fixed to a core (not shown) rotatably disposed within the tubular outer shell and is wound onto the core. The housing also contains a rewind system (described hereinbelow) disposed within an upper end of the tubular shell. A knob 26 attached to the rewind system comprises the manually engaged exterior portion of the rewind system.

The frame 12 can include an upper and lower guide clip 66, 68 adjacent a corresponding upper and lower end of the elongate slot 22 to contact the net 24 and retain the net in a predetermined orientation upon rewinding.

The net 24 extending through slot 22 has a free end 28 attachable to a remote or secondary post 30. The lower end 32 of the remote post has or is releaseably received in a foot 34. A second auger 36 extends from a lower surface of the foot 34 to facilitate the anchoring of the remote post 30 to ground. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a secondary holder 63 can include the auger 36 for engaging the ground. The secondary holder 63 includes a projecting rod 65 sized to be received within the secondary post 30.

It is also contemplated the net 24 can include a stiffener 35, such as a bar, plate or rod to assist retaining the net in a substantially vertical orientation upon the net extending between the frame and the secondary post 30. The stiffener 35 can be integrated into the net 24 (and stored with the net within the frame 12 or separable from the net.

The rewind system and other components of the housing 12 that are disposed within the tubular shell 14 are shown in FIG. 2. Housing 12 comprises a storage unit for the net 24 and contains the components that allow an operator to deploy the net, establish a taut barrier and to rewind the net after use. To this end the housing includes a net reel generally indicated at 37. The net reel is formed in part by an axel 38 disposed within the shell 14 and along its central axis. The axel 38 preferably is square to facilitate the cooperation of the axel with other components that support and rotate the axel as further set out hereinbelow.

One end 40 of the axel is journaled to the tubular shell 14 adjacent the lower end 16 of the shell. The opposite end of the axel (not shown) is operatively connected to the output end of a gear train represented by the enclosed box 42. The gear train is disposed with the shell 14 adjacent the shell upper end and serves to provide a mechanical advantage to assist rewinding the net.

The axel extends through spaced wafer bearings 44, 46. These bearings contact against the inner surface of the tubular shell 14 to help maintain the axel centered in the shell 14 as the axel rotates. Extending between the spaced wafer bearings and disposed as a shroud radially about the axel is a tubular winding core 48. One end of the net 24 is attached to the surface of the core and the net is wound on the core for storage within the shell 14 in the space between the core and the inner surface of the shell. Since the core rotates with the axel 38, the axel comprises a drive shaft for the core wherein the axel 38, wafer bearings 44, 46 and winding core 48 together form the net reel 37.

Also fixed to the axel at an outboard side of the wafer bearing 46 is a ratchet wheel 50. A stop 52 extending through the shell is operated to selectively engage the ratchet. When the stop is engaged with the ratchet, rotation of the net reel 37 in a net unwinding direction is prevented. For example, the stop can be arranged so that either a push/pull action or a rotation of the stop will effect the engagement and disengagement of the stop with the ratchet.

The knob 26 is rotatable relative to the shell 14 and is operatively connected to the input side of the gear train 42. The motive force for rewinding the net is supplied solely by manually rotating the knob wherein the gear train 42 provides a mechanical advantage to facilitate the rewinding of the net onto the winding core 48 of the net reel. Engaging an Allen wrench or other suitable tool 54 into an opening 56 formed in the knob for receiving such a tool provides a further mechanical advantage. It is further contemplated a fold away handle 25 (FIG. 1) can be connected to the gear train 42 to provide leverage for a user to rewind the net 24.

The gear train 42 that transmits a motive force from the knob 26 to the axel 46 can take any one of several forms in order to provide a mechanical advantage to assist in the manual retrieval of the net. For example the gear train can comprise a train of spur gears. In a preferred embodiment the gear train is a planetary gearing system including one or more planetary gears. A planetary gear system provides a relatively compact arrangement that fits within the end of the tubular sleeve 14 between the knob 26 and the ratchet wheel 50.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a specific configuration of the portable safety barrier is shown. Although these figures provide a particular implementation of the portable safety barrier, it is understood that alternative constructions can be employed without departing from the invention. For example, the particular configuration of the gearing can be changed in response to an intended operating environment, such as an oversized driveway.

In operation and to set up the portable safety barrier of the present invention, the main post represented by housing 12 is stood upright on its foot 18. The foot can be a separate member into which the lower end 16 of the housing is placed or it can be integral the housing. In either case the foot is flat bottomed and rests on a ground surface. The foot whether a separate member or integral the housing, can be weighted to assist holding the position of the barrier. In a preferred embodiment as shown the foot has an auger 20 and is rotated so as to drill the auger 20 into the ground to root the main support post in position.

After the main support post is firmly planted, the free end 28 of the net is pulled to deploy the net. As the net is extended from the housing through the slot 22, the net reel 37 rotates freely so the net is drawn from the winding core 48. The friction in the gear train 42 provides the only resistance to the rotation of the net reel and there is no rewind bias that needs to be overcome in order to deploy the netting.

The secondary post 30 is positioned remote from the main post 12 and set upright on its foot 34 in the same manner as the main post 12. The foot 34 can be a separate member into which the lower end 32 of the post is placed or the foot can be formed integral the post. In either case the foot 32 is flat bottomed and rests on a ground surface. In one embodiment the foot is weighted for holding the position of the barrier and in a preferred embodiment, the auger 36 associated with the foot is drilled into the ground so the secondary post also is rooted in position.

In one embodiment the secondary post 30 and net 24 are separate members so the free end of the net is clipped or otherwise releaseably attached to the post. In the alternative, the net is permanently attached to the secondary post so that movement of the post to a remote location acts to pull the net from the housing 12.

Once the net is deployed, it can be tightened so it is taut between the housing or main post 12 and the secondary remote post 30. This is accomplished by operating the stop 52 to engage it against the ratchet wheel 50. The engagement prevents further deployment of the net by stopping the rotation of the net reel 37 in an unwinding or net deploying direction. However, the ratchet wheel still allows rotation of the net reel in a rewind direction. Accordingly, the operator merely turns the knob 26 so the net reel 37 is rotated in the rewind direction so netting is pulled back onto the winding core 48. The rewinding pulls in the slack in the net 24 and the cooperation of the stop 52 and ratchet wheel 50 prevents the net reel from turning in the unwinding direction.

To take down the barrier, the net is detached from the secondary post 30 or the post is uprooted. In either case the net now is free to be rewound into the housing 12. Since there is no bias acting on the extended net, the net can be released without the risk of being forcibly drawn back towards the housing 12.

Rewinding the net is accomplished by turning the knob 26. The rotary motion of the knob is transferred through the gear train to the axel 38 and the core 48 so the net reel 37 is turned in a rewind direction. The mechanical advantage and reduction in torque provided by the gear train 42 facilitates the manual rewinding of the net back into the winding core 48. To further facilitate the rewinding, the operator can insert a wrench 54 or other appropriate tool into the opening 56 in order to gain a further mechanical advantage. Alternatively, in the configuration employing the fold away handle, the handle can be used to provide the mechanical advantage and torque for rewinding the net.

Having thus described the invention in detail, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides an improved portable safety barrier apparatus. The apparatus is portable and is easily set up and deployed. The foot portions 18, 34 whether separate or integral the housing or main support post 12 and the secondary post 30 allow for the firm anchoring of the barrier support elements to ground. This is particularly the case where each foot includes an auger 20, 36 for drilling into the ground.

As a further advantage, the barrier net is set up and rendered taut with the use of a ratchet wheel and stop rather than subjecting the net to a continuous rewind bias that increases in proportion to the length of deployed net. Accordingly the drive system carried by the housing is bias-free. This allows tightening the net while avoiding the likelihood of an inadvertent uncontrolled, rapid and forcible rewinding of the net that could cause injury to person or property.

While the invention has been described in connection with a presently preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined solely by the appended claims. Having described the invention in detail,

Claims

1. A portable safety barrier including an extendable barrier netting comprising:

a) a frame disposable in an upright position;

b) a net reel rotatably mounted to the frame;

c) an elongate net wound on the net reel, the net having one end fixed to the net reel and an opposite end;

d) a bias-free drive system carried by the frame and operably connected to the net reel, the drive system allowing free unbiased rotation of the net reel in an unwind direction for extending the netting from the frame to a deployed position and the drive system being manually operated to rotate the net reel in a winding direction for rewinding the netting;

e) the drive system including a one-way stop selectively engaged to prevent rotation of the net reel in the unwind direction; and

f) a support post paired with the frame movable to a location spaced from the frame and attachable to the net opposite end.

2. The safety barrier of claim 1, further comprising an auger connected to a lower end of the frame for anchoring the frame to ground.

3. The safety barrier of claim 1, further comprising a holder having an integral auger and a receiving recess, the recess sized to releasably retain a portion of the frame.

4. The safety barrier as in claim 1, wherein the frame is tubular and has a given length, and the net reel is disposed within and extends generally the length of the tube, the net reel including a drive shaft journaled adjacent an end of the drive shaft to the frame.

5. The safety barrier as in claim 4, further comprising a shroud disposed around the drive shaft, the shroud defining a winding core of the net reel.

6. The safety barrier as in claim 5 including wafer bearings disposed between the axel and shroud maintaining the shroud radially spaced from the axel.

7. A safety barrier as in claim 6 wherein the wafer bearings bear against the inner surface of the tubular frame to maintain the shroud radially disposed within the tubular frame.

8. The safety barrier of claim 4, wherein the drive system is located at one end of the frame and includes a gear train operatively connected between one end of the drive shaft and a manually operated handle.

9. The safety barrier of claim 8, wherein the gear train is within the tubular frame and the manually operated handle is external to the frame.

10. A safety barrier as in claim 8, wherein the gear train is a planetary gear system.

11. A safety barrier as in claim 8 wherein the drive system includes an opening for receiving the manually operated handle.

12. A safety barrier as in claim 8 wherein the manually operated handle is a fold away handle connected to the gear train.

13. A safety barrier as in claim 1 including a stiffening member associated with the net for maintaining the generally vertical in the deployed position.

14. A safety barrier as in claim 1 wherein the one-way stop comprises a ratchet connected to the net reel and a stop member extending through the frame to selectively engage the ratchet wheel.

15. A safety barrier as in claim 4 wherein the tubular frame has an elongated slot providing a passage for the net through the frame and onto the net reel and guide clips at each end of the slot in contact with the net passing through the slot.