Patent ID: 6212826
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: E05D,E05Y,E06B

Abstract:
A barrier assembly for protecting a loading platform, the loading platform having a loading edge and a personnel entrance distal from and substantially parallel to the loading edge, the barrier assembly comprising:a pair of parallel guide rails, each shaped generally as an inverted-U, each having a first substantially vertical portion, a second substantially vertical portion opposite the first substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion interconnecting the first and second substantially vertical portions;a first gate segment having at least one pair of rollers positioned on opposite lateral sides thereof, each roller being received within a respective one of the guide rails so that the fist gate segment is guided by the pair of guide rails;a second gate segment having at least one pair of rollers positioned on opposite lateral sides thereof, each roller being received within a respective one of the guide rails so that the second gate segment is guided by the pair of guide rails; andat least one substantially rigid first cross-bar pivotally connected between the first and second gate segments, wherein the first cross-bar is free to reciprocate with respect to the guide rails in a path that is at least partially horizontal;the first gate segment being guided by the pair of guide rails from a barrier position in which the first gate segment is positioned entirely within the first substantially vertical portions of the pair of guide rails to an open position in which the first gate segment is positioned at least partially in the substantially horizontal portions of the pair of guide rails;the second gate segment being guided by the pair of guide rails from a barrier position in which the second gate segment is positioned entirely within the second substantially vertical portions of the pair of guide rails to an open position where the second gate segment is positioned at least partially in the substantially horizontal portions of the pair of guide rails; andthe first cross-bar having a length which requires that when the first gate segment is in its barrier position the second gate segment will be in its open position, and vice-versa.