Patent ID: 9422732
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: E04B,E04G

Claim Text:
1. A slidable barrier method for a structure having a plurality of stories, the method comprising: operatively connecting a first retainer element to the structure, the first retainer element extending in a substantially vertical direction, the first retainer element spanning a plurality of stories of the structure, the first retainer element including a plurality of retainer segments, the plurality of retainer segments including an uppermost retainer segment and one or more lower retainer segments, the one or more lower retainer segments including a lowermost retainer segment, the plurality of retainer segments being hollow and including three channels extending along a entire length of the retainer segment, the three channels opening to a outer periphery of the retainer segment, two of the three channels being opposite to each other, one of the three channels being arranged at substantially 90 degrees relative to the two of the three channels that are opposite to each other, the plurality of retainer segments being arranged such that the three channels of the plurality of retainer segments are substantially aligned with each other; and bringing a barrier and the first retainer element together such that a portion of the barrier is retainably engaged within one of the three channels of the one or more lower retainer segments of the first retainer element, the barrier having an associated length, the length of the barrier substantially corresponding to a length of the one or more lower retainer segments, the uppermost retainer segment extending above an upper edge side of the barrier in the substantially vertical direction; moving the barrier upwardly within the first retainer element such that the barrier is retainably engaged with the uppermost retainer segment and such that the barrier is no longer retainably engaged with the lowermost retainer segment; disconnecting the lowermost retainer segment from the structure; and operatively connecting the disconnected retainer segment to the structure in a location above the uppermost retainer segment in the substantially vertical direction to become a new uppermost retainer segment, wherein the barrier is not retainably engaged by the new uppermost retainer segment, wherein the previous uppermost retainer segment becomes included in the one or more lower retainer segments, and wherein the three channels of the new uppermost retainer segment are substantially aligned with the three channels of the one or more lower retainer segments.