Abstract: The present soft barrier includes sheeting and a frame. The frame includes longitudinal and lateral support members. The sheeting is in a relaxed state when the lateral support members are in a retracted state. The sheeting is in a taut state when the lateral support members are in an extended fixed state. The sheeting may be in either the relaxed state or taut state when the longitudinal support members are in a retracted state or an extended state. A first adjustment mechanism for increasing or decreasing the longitudinal length of the barrier is a quick slide mechanism. A second adjustment mechanism for finely increasing or finely decreasing the longitudinal length of the barrier is a rotatable mechanism.

Abstract: A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member.

Abstract: A work surface for a vehicle includes an actuator plate that engages with a locking plate. Actuation of the actuator plate in a first direction induces actuation of the locking plate in a second direction, thereby actuating the locking plate between a locked and an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: An expandable drawer divider includes a first panel, a second panel and a lock mechanism. The second panel is slidably connected to the first panel. The locking mechanism includes a lever and a lock member operably connected to the lever. The lever is configured to pivot about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the divider toward a first position wherein the lock member is moved in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis into engagement with the second panel and pivot toward a second position wherein the lock member is disengaged from the second panel and the second panel is movable relative to the first panel.

Abstract: An expandable partitioning device includes a pair of slide bars. Each slide bar includes a pair of first cooperating surfaces for slideably connecting the other slide bar. The first slide bar has a plurality of recesses along its length. The second slide bar has a rotatable toggle switch with at least one locking member. When the toggle switch is engaged (rotated) the locking member(s) rotate into the recesses of the first slide bar, locking the relative positions of the two slide bars.

Abstract: A safety gate locking strap configured to prevent an opening of a safety gate by a child or pet is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the safety gate locking strap includes a strap portion having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion; a fastening member coupled to the strap portion, which is configured to enable the first end portion of the strap portion to be engaged to, and disengaged from, the second end portion of the strap portion by a user; and a protrusion extending from the strap portion, the protrusion configured to engage with a groove in a component of a safety gate so as to prevent the safety gate from being opened by a child or a pet. A safety gate assembly and method of securing a safety gate, each of which utilize the safety gate locking strap, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An insulation system includes a panel having a major surface, a layer of fibrous insulating material and at least one securing clip affixed to the panel and securing the insulation layer to the major surface. Each clip includes first and second connectors. Each connector includes a head, two diametrically-opposed resilient latching elements projecting from the head and a first locking shoulder extending at least partially between the latching elements. Each latching element includes a latching shoulder adjacent a distal end opposite the head.

Abstract: An acoustical dampening barrier, for an opening in a wall, that is translatable to an open position to allow access to the opening, the fixed barrier including a first barrier layer made of at least one of a rigid and semi-rigid material, a second barrier layer fixed to the first barrier layer on a side of the first barrier layer where a sound to dampen is emitted made of an acoustic material with sound attenuation characteristics, a third barrier layer fixed to the second barrier layer on a side of the second barrier layer where a sound to dampen is emitted made of an acoustic material with sound absorptive characteristics, and a seal material connected to at least one of the opening in the wall, the first barrier layer and the third barrier layer to further dampen a sound emitted when the fixed barrier is translated to a closed position to prevent access to the opening.

Abstract: A magnetic window including slidably engaged female and male portions. The female portion has a first transparent panel and a pair of rearwardly projecting fins being affixed, respectively, to the top and bottom of the first transparent panel so as to have a free end remote from the first transparent panel. Each of the fins is provided at its free end with a lip. Each lip projects toward the other so as to define a guideway between itself and the first transparent panel. A first forwardly projecting retaining flange is affixed to one of the opposed sides of the first transparent panel. A first magnetic strip is affixed to the first forwardly projecting retaining flange. The male portion, however, has a second transparent panel with its top positioned within one guideway in the female portion and has its bottom positioned within another guideway in the female portion. A second forwardly projecting retaining flange is affixed to one of the second opposed sides of the second transparent panel.

Abstract: An adjustable paint guard for filling the opening of a door frame so that one side of the door frame can be quickly painted without having paint strike the other side of the door frame includes a multi-panel nested arrangement wherein at least one panel serves as the stationary base panel from which the other panels are capable of selective and independent slidable movement along an x-y axis whereupon all the panels can be brought into abutting relationship with the interior vertical and horizontal portions of the door frame that surround the opening thereby completely filling the opening of the door frame and closing off the opening so that paint cannot reach the opposite side of the door frame.

Abstract: A modular system for assembling a storage unit is provided which includes a plurality of panels and different connectors. The system allows for subdividing spaces which may feature walls, floors, ceilings, etc. at varying angles or in areas having irregular contours. Additionally, the connectors are simple recesses and protrusions which allow for easy assembly and disassembly of the storage unit.

Abstract: A security gate having an adjustable width that is suitable for use as a barrier to restrict the movement of children or animals. The gate includes a stationary panel and an overlapping moveable panel which are slidably extendable with respect to each other and lockable in a variety of extended positions. The gate can be pressure mounted to an opening, such as a hallway or doorway.

Abstract: A garage doorway screen apparatus for allowing fresh air into a garage without allowing pests such as insects and mice into the garage. The garage doorway screen apparatus includes a screen assembly including at least one screen support member and also including at least one screen member being attached to the at least one screen support member with the screen assembly being adapted to be securely and removably disposed in a garage doorway.

Abstract: An adjustable, removable child window guard includes a first panel, a second panel and a bolt and slot arrangement for slidably connecting the first panel to the second panel. A locking mechanism requiring two-handed operation to permit the relative sliding movement of the first and second panels is provided for selectably permitting and inhibiting relative sliding movement of the first and second panels. The window guard includes two sets of teeth affixed to the first panel and two sets of tooth engagement means mounted on the second panel. L-shaped brackets are provided to permit non-intrusive mounting of the window guard in a window frame.

Abstract: A security gate includes an installation and release mechanism that is operable with one hand. The gate comprises two panels which are extendible with respect to each other and lockable in the extended position. This makes it possible for the gate to expand across a wide variety of door openings. A handle located centrally on the top of the gate is connected by a pair of cranks and a pull rod to a pair of plungers which contact one side of the door frame. Spring bias on the plungers normally force the plungers into contact with the door frame. Slots in the upper and lower plunger links permit the plungers to accommodate irregular door frames. The handle is employed to withdraw the plungers from contact with the door frames and, conversely, the absence of handle pressure causes the gate to position itself solidly against the vertical door jamb. The handle is also employed by the operator to carry and position the gate in the doorway, allowing one-handed operation.

Abstract: A safety gate which is adapted to be mounted on the sidewalls at the top or bottom of a stairway to prevent unwanted access thereto by a toddler or on the sidewalls of a door frame or other structure to prevent unwanted passage therethrough from either direction by a toddler includes a mounting rail which is adapted to be fixedly attached to one of the sidewalls, a locking post which is adapted to be fixedly attached to the other sidewall opposite to the mounting rail and a gate frame assembly which is adapted to be removably and pivotally mounted to one end to the mounting rail and secured at the other end, when desired, to the locking post. When the gate frame assembly is mounted on the mounting rail, the gate frame can be pivoted back and forth like a swinging door when restricted passage is not desired and then locked to the locking post when restricted passage is desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for closing or opening an aisle in a supermarket or similar store. The apparatus includes a support member having a vertical surface having upper and lower U-channels adapted to slidingly receive a first panel. A second panel is hinged to the first panel by a biased hinge. A bar member having a finger is attached to the upper channel and is adapted to fit into or be raised from a position where the finger inhibits sliding movement of a first panel which is adapted to be slid between unextended and extended positions, with the second panel capable of rotation between folded and unfolded positions in which the biased hinge releasably holds the second panel in said positions.