Articulating expandable barrier

Provided is an adjustable barrier having a central hinge having a cylindrical post and an axis of rotation; a first expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a first connector; and a second expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a second connector. At least one of the first and second expandable sections is configured to articulate around the axis of rotation of the central hinge forming an articulation angle between the first and second expandable sections.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to expandable barriers having portions that articulate relative to one another via a hinge.

BACKGROUND

Temporary barriers are often used to delineate an area against vehicle or personal entry often incorporate lattice type structure capable of expanding in the vertical plane.

SUMMARY

In some aspects there are provided systems, devices, and methods for temporarily and/or customizably providing barrier function.

In some aspects, there is provided an adjustable barrier having a central hinge having a cylindrical post and an axis of rotation; a first expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a first connector; and a second expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a second connector. At least one of the first and second expandable sections is configured to articulate around the axis of rotation of the central hinge forming an articulation angle between the first and second expandable sections.

The cylindrical post can extend upright between the first and second expandable sections. The first connector and the second connector each can include a generally tubular knuckle and a leaf extending laterally from the knuckle. Each knuckle can have an inner diameter sized to receive an outer diameter of the cylindrical post such that the knuckle is received over the cylindrical post. Each leaf can be configured to couple to its respective expandable section. The articulation angle can be between 0 degrees at which the first and second expandable sections is folded over completely against one another to about 180 degrees at which the first and second expandable sections are unfolded relative to one another and extend within a single vertical plane.

The barrier can further include a hinge lock configured to engage the first and second expandable sections when the first and second expandable sections are aligned within a single vertical plane thereby preventing articulation around the axis of rotation. The hinge lock can include a tubular region and a locking region extending upward from the tubular region. The tubular region can have an outer diameter sized to insert within an inner diameter of the cylindrical post. The first and second slots can extend through a full thickness of the locking region on opposing lateral sides towards a center of the locking region. When the tubular region of the hinge lock is received within the cylindrical post at least a portion of an upper edge of a respective one of the first and second expandable sections can extend through the first and second slots fixing the first and second expandable sections relative to one another preventing articulation around the central hinge. The hinge lock can be removeable from the barrier. The hinge lock can further include a tether coupled to a region of the hinge lock and to a region of the barrier. The barrier can be free-standing. The barrier can include a first footing coupled to a lower end of the first expandable section, a second footing coupled to a lower end of the second expandable section, and a third footing coupled to a lower end of the cylindrical post. At least one of the first, second, and third footings can be removable from the barrier. At least one of the first, second, and third footings can incorporate casters. The first expandable section can include a first multiplicity of slats hingedly interconnected in a scissoring lattice-type structure configured to expand outward from a compact, collapsed narrow configuration to an expanded, wide configuration. The second expandable section can include a second multiplicity of slats hingedly interconnected in a scissoring lattice-type structure configured to expand outward from a compact, collapsed narrow configuration to an expanded, wide configuration. The barrier can include a third expandable section coupled to the second expandable section by a second hinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are temporary barriers that are expandable and collapsible in the vertical plane that also incorporate a hinge allowing for articulation of the expandable/collapsible portions relative to one another providing more flexibility. The temporary barriers described herein are particularly useful to block off a defined portion of an area, such as a portion of an aisle in a retail establishment.

It should be appreciated that although the barriers herein are described in the context of their use for safety, the barriers are usable for any number of purposes. In some implementations, the barriers described herein are usable for marking out a ground or floor area in which there is a safety hazard or in which maintenance or repair work is being carried out. In particular, the barriers described herein are useful in retail aisles where only a portion of the width of the aisle is barricaded and the remainder of the width of the aisle is open to the flow of traffic. The barriers described herein can be used for both outdoor and indoor applications. In some implementations, the barriers described herein are useful for indoor areas including residential buildings, retail buildings such as shopping malls, or warehouse “box” stores, other public venues such as maintenance locations, sporting venues, and other public venues or locations. It should also be appreciated that relative, directional language and terms regarding orientation such as “right,” “left,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “backward,” “forward,” “upward,” “downward,” “inward,” “outward” and the like are used throughout merely for convenience for description and are not intended to be limiting.

Turning to the drawings,FIGS. 1-4illustrate a first implementation of a temporary barrier100. The barrier100can incorporate at least a first expandable section105acoupled to at least a second expandable section105bby a central hinge115allowing for the expandable sections to articulate relative to one another around an axis of rotation A. The axis of rotation A can extend through a cylindrical post of the central hinge115.

The expandable sections105a,105bcan incorporate a multiplicity of slats120hingedly interconnected in a scissoring lattice-type structure as is known in the art. It should be appreciated that a variety of expandable structure configurations are considered herein so long as the expandable sections are readily expanded outward from a compact, collapsed narrow configuration shown inFIG. 1to an expanded, wide configuration shown inFIG. 4. In the narrow configuration edges of the slats120can abut one another such that each of the slats120extends generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the floor. In the expanded, wide configuration the edges of the slats120are separated from one another forming an open lattice structure to achieve a maximum extension. It should be appreciated that although the barrier100shown in the figures incorporated an open lattice that the barriers described herein can also incorporate a closed structure such that the space between the slats120is covered by a material such as a fabric, plastic, or other material. Also, the relative thickness of each of the slats120can vary providing differing degrees of privacy and protection on either side of the barrier100. It should also be appreciated that the barrier100may include more than two expandable sections105, including 3, 4, 5 or more sections configured to be pivotably attached to one another for creating an enlarged space of various geometries. Further, the materials, weights, and overall size of the barrier components described herein can vary to satisfy different user preferences, such as more robust, heavy-duty metal materials for some implementations and less robust, lighter-weight, plastic materials for other implementations.

As mentioned above, the first expandable section105aarticulates relative to the second expandable section105baround the central hinge115axis of rotation A forming an articulation angle between the first and second expandable sections. The central hinge115can include at least a first connector125acoupled to the first expandable section105aand at least a second connector125bcoupled to the second expandable section105b. The central hinge115can also include a cylindrical post130extending upright between the first and second expandable section105a,105bthat is configured to couple to each of the connectors125a,125bforming the hinge115(seeFIG. 5). The axis of rotation A extends through a center of the cylindrical post130.

Each expandable section105includes at least one connector125, but can incorporate more than one connector125. For example, each expandable section105a,105bcan include two connectors125such that there are two connections points or hinge elements formed between the expandable sections105a,105b.FIG. 5, for example, shows one hinge element formed near a lower end of the barrier100and a second hinge element formed near an upper end of the barrier100, each hinge element incorporating first and second connectors125a,125band at least a region of the cylindrical post130. The connector125aof the first expandable section105acan be positioned on the post130such that its lower edge132is adjacent an upper edge133of the connector125bof the second expandable section105bforming an articulating hinge element near a lower end region of the barrier100. Another connector125aof the first expandable section105acan be positioned on the post130such that its upper edge133is adjacent a lower edge132of the connector125bof the second expandable section105bforming an articulating hinge element near an upper end region of the barrier100. In other implementations, the connectors125aof the first expandable section105ainterdigitate with the connectors125bof the second expandable section105b. It should be appreciated that the relative number and arrangement of connectors125can vary. It should be appreciated that although the central hinge115is described as having a particular mechanical configuration herein that other configurations of hinges are considered herein including, but not limited to a barrel hinge, butt hinge, flush hinge, continuous hinge, piano hinge, etc.

Now with respect toFIGS. 6-9, each connector125can be a generally tubular structure having a leaf126extending outward laterally from a knuckle127. The leaf126of the connector125is configured to couple with the expandable section105, as will be described in more detail below, and the tubular knuckle127is configured to couple with the post130. The inner cylindrical surface of the tubular knuckle127has an inner diameter sized to receive an outer diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the post130such that the tubular knuckle127can be received over the post130and the connectors125and the post130are coaxially aligned. The tolerance between the inner surface or inner diameter of the tubular knuckle127and outer surface or outer diameter of the post130is such that the connector125is readily pivotable relative to the post130, but not too loose so as to affect a smooth articulating movement around the axis of rotation A. At least one or both of the connectors125a,125bcan be moveably coupled to the post130such that at least one or both of the expandable sections105a,105bcan rotate about the post130forming various articulation angles relative to one another. In some implementations, the tubular knuckle127of a first connector125ais fixedly attached to the post130such that it does not rotate relative to the post130whereas the tubular knuckle127of a second connector125bis rotatably attached to the post130. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, connector125binserted over the post130is configured to rotate relative to the post130whereas connector125ainserted over the post130is configured to fixedly attach to the post130by a bolt131or other coupling element such that it does not rotate relative to the post130. Further, the adjacent edges of the connectors125forming each hinge element can incorporate a coating or covering allowing for smooth pivoting movements between them. Alternatively, as best shown inFIGS. 6-7a washer134or other elements between the connectors125can be incorporated into the hinge elements for smooth pivoting movements of the expandable sections.

Again with respect toFIGS. 5-9, each of the connectors125also include a connection leaf126configured to couple with its respective expandable section105. The connection leaf126can be an outwardly-extending planar portion having at least one aperture extending through it. As mentioned previously, each expandable section105a,105bincludes a multiplicity of slats120that extend between an inner upright135and an outer upright140(seeFIG. 5). The inner upright135can be a generally rectangular, planar piece having a first elongate edge oriented towards and moveably coupled to the scissoring slats120and a second elongate edge oriented towards the central post130and having a plurality of openings145. When the tubular knuckle127of the connector125is positioned over the central post130, the at least one aperture extending through the connection leaf126aligns with an opening145of the inner upright135such that a coupling element128can be received therethrough. The coupling element128can be a rivet, screw, bolt, or other component configured to clamp the connector125to its respective expandable section105. In some implementations, the connection leaf126of the connector125is formed by a pair of opposing flanges configured to receive the inner upright135therebetween (best shown inFIGS. 8-9). The coupling element128extends through a first aperture on a first flange, an opening145of the inner upright135and a second aperture on the second flange such that the inner upright135and connection leaf126are coupled together by the coupling element128. In some implementations, the opposing flanges each have two apertures configured to receive two coupling elements128.

Now with respect toFIGS. 10-13, the barrier100can incorporate a hinge lock150such that when the two expandable sections105a,105bare not articulated around the hinge115and are each aligned within a single vertical plane, the hinge lock150can engage a portion of the inner uprights135of each of the sections105a,105blocking them into fixed relative position and preventing articulation around the axis of rotation of the hinge115. The hinge lock150can include a tubular region155having an outer diameter configured to insert within the inner diameter from an upper end of the tubular central post130and a locking region160extending upward from the tubular region155. The locking region160can have first and second slots165on opposing lateral side that each extend through the full thickness of the locking region160and from the lateral side towards the center of the locking region160. Each of the slots165are wide enough to receive at least a portion of an upper edge of a respective one of the inner uprights135of the first and second expandable sections105a,105b. The hinge lock150can be fixedly attached to the barrier100and slidable between a locked and unlocked position relative to the central hinge115. Alternatively, the hinge lock150can be a removable element. The hinge lock150, regardless of whether it is removable, is configured to be advanced downward such that tubular region155extends into the lumen of the central post130. The hinge lock150can be rotated such that the lateral slots165of the locking region160align with the upward-extending edges of the inner upright135. Advancement of the tubular region155of the hinge lock150downwards into the lumen of the central post130results in the inner uprights135extending through the lateral slots165such that the expandable sections105are fixed relative to one another preventing articulation around the central hinge115(seeFIG. 13). As mentioned, the hinge lock150can be a removable feature. A tether170can be incorporated on a region of the hinge lock150such that when the hinge lock150is not in use it can remain associated with the barrier100until it is needed again, for example, when no articulation around the hinge115is desired and/or when the barrier100is being stowed away.

As mentioned above, each expandable section105includes a multiplicity of slats120that extend between the inner upright135and the outer upright140. The inner upright135can couple to a first slat pair near a lower end of the first edge by a first coupling170and to a second slat pair near an upper end of the first edge by a second coupling170. The couplings170between the slat pairs and the inner upright135are configured to undergo scissor action, like the couplings between the slats120themselves. The first edge oriented towards the scissoring slats120can incorporate an elongated slot (seeFIG. 17) near the upper end within which the coupling170can be received. This elongated slot allows for the coupling170to slide up and down within the slot depending on expansion of the expandable section105such that when the expandable section105is in the narrow configuration, the coupling170is positioned at an upper end of the slot and when the expandable section105is in the wide configuration, the coupling170slides down away from the upper end of the slot near a lower end of the slot. A mechanism can be incorporated to limit expansion, such as a bolt or other feature. Further, the couplings described herein can vary including, but not limited to bolts, screws, pins or other mechanisms.

Again with respect toFIG. 5, the outer upright140can be a generally elongate element coupled to a first slat pair near a lower end by a first coupling170and to a second slat pair near an upper end by a second coupling170. The couplings170between the slat pairs and the outer upright140are configured to undergo scissor action. The outer upright140can provide a surface for a user to grasp the expandable section105without risk of pinching their fingers when the sections105are expanded. Additionally, the outer upright140can incorporate one or more handle elements (seeFIG. 1) to aid in grasping and/or expanding the sections105of the barrier100.

The barrier100can be a free-standing barrier. In some implementations, a base or footing175can be coupled to lower ends of the expandable sections such as each of the outer uprights140to support the barrier and prevent it from tipping during use. A footing175can also be coupled to a lower end of the central post130. The footing175can be removably or permanently coupled to the lower end of the outer uprights104and post130. A rod177of the footing175can extend upwardly into a correspondingly-shaped receiver element178near a lower end region of the outer uprights140or a lower end region of the central post130. The footing175can be a generally t-shaped element as shown inFIG. 14to provide a low-profile configuration to the barrier100when folded up as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, however it should be appreciated that other stable configurations are considered herein. The footing175can incorporate casters179to provide ease of movement of the expandable sections105, for example during expansion of the sections105as well as the pivoting of the sections105relative to one another along any of a variety of angles (seeFIG. 4).

When the barrier100is folded into a storage configuration, the angle achieved between the two expandable sections105a,105bfor storage can be between about 0 degrees (i.e. folded over onto each other completely), about 10 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, up to under 180 degrees (i.e. unfolded), as well as any other degree angle in between. Further, the angle achieved between the two expandable sections105a,105bduring use can be between about 0 degrees (i.e. folded over onto each other completely), 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees (i.e. unfolded), 270 degrees, approaching 360 degrees (i.e. folded over onto each other completely in the opposite direction), as well as any other degree angle in between. The angle achieved by articulating the expandable sections105a,105brelative to one another allows for the barrier100to be used to enclose a variety of geometrically shaped areas depending on how many expandable sections105are connected together by the hinge115. If such a barrier100is used in an aisle of a retail store, the aisle can be completely blocked if the barrier sections105are extended across the aisle and no relative articulation achieved. The barrier100can also be used to block only a portion of the width of the aisle, for example, by articulating one of the sections 90 degrees relative to the other. In a further implementation, three expandable sections105are coupled together by hinges115such that a triangularly-shaped region can be enclosed. In other implementations, more than three expandable sections105are coupled together by hinges115such that other geometrically-shaped regions can be enclosed or barricaded.

As mentioned above, the barrier100can be a completely free-standing barrier or it can be attached and supported on at least a first end to another structure. For example, a first expandable section105acan be coupled to a wall, entryway, or other feature where the barrier100is intended to be used and a second expandable section105bcan be free-standing such that it incorporates a footing175. Further, in this implementation, the central post130can also incorporate a footing175.FIGS. 15 and 16illustrate an implementation of a connector190for attached an outer upright140to a bracket195or other similar element located in the environment within which the barrier100is to be used. The configuration of connector190can vary and this represents one example. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the environment that the barrier100is to be used can vary such that the bracket195can be affixed to a wall, doorframe, shelving, or other feature.

The barriers described herein can incorporate any of a number of user-friendly features including one or more signs, chains and/or padlocks to maintain the collapsed configuration of the barrier100when not in use.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations may be made based on what is disclosed.

Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.