Patent ID: 9140056
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: E06B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An adjustable-width barrier for removable installation between respective posts of opposed banisters of a stairwell, the respective posts having a vertical height and being a fixed horizontal distance across the stairwell from each other, comprising: a planar, frameless, flexible, and generally-rectangular gate member having a width extending between each side edge of the gate member and a height extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the gate member, the width, when fully expanded, being substantially equal to or greater than the fixed horizontal distance between the respective posts and the height being substantially equal to or less than the vertical height of the respective posts; a first plurality of fasteners attached to the gate member, the first plurality of fasteners vertically spaced along and extending from one side edge of the gate member, each fastener having two straps adapted to engage in locking manner around one of the respective posts; a second plurality of fasteners attached to the gate member, the second plurality of fasteners vertically spaced along and extending from the other side edge of the gate member, each fastener having two straps adapted to engage in locking manner around the other of the respective posts; one of the two straps of each of the first plurality of fasteners on one side edge of the gate member connected with one of the two straps of a corresponding the second plurality of fasteners disposed at the same vertical location on the other side edge of the gate member, each of the connected straps defining an adjustable length strap that extends laterally within the gate member between the side edges; and a plurality of rigid, structural support members, each structural support member inserted within a respective vertical channel extending between the top edge and the bottom edge of the gate member, each of the vertical channels transversely spaced along the width of the gate member wherein the height of the gate member is rigidly maintained in non-compressible form by the structural support members inserted within the respective vertical channels; wherein, when the gate member is installed between the respective posts using the first and second plurality of fasteners, the width of the gate member is contracted to match the horizontal distance between the respective posts while simultaneously the gate member is maintained in lateral tension between the respective posts of the stairwell by tightening one or more of the adjustable length straps extending between the first and second plurality of fasteners.