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[0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/453,123 filed Mar. 15, 2011. Such provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a barrier for an inside of a home, particularly to a barrier having two panels that slide parallel to each other, and specifically to such a barrier having wooden rectangular frames for aesthetic purposes and to minimize weight. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One type of gate intended for the inside of a home may be a pressure gate that, by its structure and design, is supported by internal pressure between, for example, two door jambs. These gates are often formed of metal or include a relatively great amount of metal. 
         [0004]    Another type of gate intended for the inside of a home may be a gate that is fixed via pin connectors to and between two opposing structures such as two opposing door jambs. These gates too are often formed of metal or include a relatively great amount of metal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A feature of the present invention is the provision in an in-house residential barrier, of four panels cooperating with each other so as to be self-supporting or so as to stand alone, of the four panels including two main panels and two side panels, of each of the panels including a rectangular wood frame and metal grid, of each of the two side panels having a bottom horizontally extending frame member cutting through each of the planes in which the two main panels reside to extend to the front and back of each of the two main panels, and of the bottom horizontally extending frame member being one-piece and integral to minimize parts for assembly. 
         [0006]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in an in-house residential barrier, of a first panel including a first rectangular wood frame and a first metal grid within the first rectangular wood frame, of a second panel including a second rectangular wood frame and a second metal grid within the second rectangular wood frame, of the first and second panels being engaged to each other and being slideable relative to each other in parallel fashion, and of each of the grids being received in channels formed in inner peripheries or inner edges of the rectangular wood frames. 
         [0007]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in an in-house residential barrier, of a first panel comprising a first rectangular frame and a first grid within the first rectangular frame, of a second panel comprising a second rectangular frame and a second grid within the second rectangular frame, with the first and second panels being engaged to each other and being slideable relative to each other in parallel fashion, of a connector between the first and second panels, of the connector including a base, of the base traversing each of the first and second panels, of the base being fixedly connected to one of the first and second panels and including a lip for confronting the other of the first and second panels that slides within the lip, and of the connector further including a swinging clamp pivotally connected to the base and engagable to the panel that slides within the lip to fix the first and second panels relative to each other in a nonsliding fashion. 
         [0008]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such an in-house residential barrier, of the swinging clamp including first and second ends, of the first end being pivotally connected to the base, and of the second end including a roller, where the roller engages the panel that slides within the lip to fix the first and second panels relative to each other in a nonsliding fashion. 
         [0009]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in an in-house residential barrier, of at least two main panels, and of the two main panels being slideably adjustable relative to each other and fixable relative to each other with a swinging clamp. 
         [0010]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a locking mechanism for permitting first and second objects to slide by each other and for fixing the first and second objects together in a nonsliding fashion, of a base for being fixed to the first object, of a lip for confronting the second object, with the lip being engaged to the base, and of a swinging element having first and second ends, with the first end being pivotally connected to the base on a first axis, with the second end having a roller on a second axis, with the first and second axis being parallel, whereby the swinging element swings to an unlocked position in which the first and second objects can slide by each other, whereby the swinging element swings to a locked position in which the roller engages the second object and in which the first and second objects are fixed together in a nonsliding fashion. 
         [0011]    An advantage of the present invention is that the present in-house residential barrier is lightweight. One of the features contributing to this advantage is that each of the frames of each of the panels is wood. Another feature contributing to this advantage is that each of the panels includes lightweight rods, lightweight tubes, lightweight bars or lightweight wires to run between top and bottom horizontal frame members and to run between vertical side frame members. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the present invention is that sharp edges are minimized. One of the features contributing to this advantage is that wood is employed to serve as rectangular frames around each of the four panels. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of the present invention is aesthetics. The in-house residential barrier is more pleasing to the eye with wood frames around each of the four panels. 
         [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the length or width (i.e., the distance between two opposing door jambs for example) of the barrier is slideably adjustable. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the length or width (i.e., the distance between two opposing door jambs for example) of the barrier is incrementally adjustable. One feature contributing to this advantage is the swinging clamp that can lock in several positions, such as when a roller of the swinging clamp is seated in a channel that also receives the metal grids, and such as when the roller abuts a rod of the grid and rests on an edge or corner of a horizontal member without protruding into the grid. 
         [0016]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the material used to make the two side panels has been minimized. For example, the bottom horizontally extending frame member of the side panels runs to each of the front and rear of the main panels. On the rear or rear face of the main panels, a rear section of the bottom horizontally extending frame member also serves as a portion of a fence or fence section of the barrier. However, on the front or front face of the main panels, a front section of the bottom horizontally extending frame member serves only the stabilizing purpose. This front section has been provided with a minimum height so as to minimize tripping. This front section is rectangular in shape. 
         [0017]    Another advantage is ease of fixing the main panels relative to each other. The connector or swingable clamp or roller latch is easy to open and easy to close. The roller latch pops into or snaps into a locked position and pops out of or snaps out of the locked position. Features contributing to this ease of operation are, for example, the roller on the swinging end of the clamp, the offset in the vertical direction between the axis of the pin of the base end of the swinging clamp and the axis of the pin of the roller when the roller is seated in the channel that also receives the grid. 
         [0018]    Another advantage is that the swinging clamp or roller latch does not mar, dent, scratch or otherwise damage the wood of the panels which the roller latch engages. Relative to many metals such as aluminum and steel, wood is a soft material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective detail view of the present in-house stand alone residential barrier having main panels and side panels, with the main panels interconnected with swinging clamps. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective detail view of the present in-house residential barrier of  FIG. 1 , where the barrier includes the main panels of  FIG. 1  interconnected with swinging clamps, where the barrier does not include the side panels of  FIG. 1 , and where the barrier further includes in-line connectors between the main panels and a vertical surface. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective detail view of the swinging clamp of  FIG. 1 , showing the swinging clamp in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective detail view of the swinging clamp of  FIG. 3A , showing the swinging clamp in a closed position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3C  is a section detail side view of the swinging clamp of  FIG. 3A , showing the swinging clamp in an open position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3D  is a section detail side view of the swinging clamp of  FIG. 3A , showing the swinging clamp in a position between the open and closed positions. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3E  is a section detail side view of the swinging clamp of  FIG. 3A , showing the swinging clamp in a closed position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective detail view of the present in-house residential barrier of  FIG. 1  having main panels and side panels, with the main panels interconnected with swinging clamps, and with one of the main panels having a pet door. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    As shown in the  FIG. 1 , the present self-supporting or stand alone in-house barrier with four panels is indicated by reference number  10 . Self-supporting barrier  10  includes main panels  12 ,  14  and side panels  16 ,  18 . Each of the panels  12 ,  14  includes therein a grid or mesh  20  and each of the side panels  16  and  18  includes therein a grid or mesh  21 . The self-supporting barrier  10  further includes a set of four connectors  22  between the main panels  12 ,  14  that permit the main panels  12 ,  14  to slide relative to each other and that fix the main panels  12 ,  14  relative to each other such that the main panels  12 ,  14  cannot slide relative to each other. The self-supporting barrier  10  further includes a set of eight feet  24  to space the barrier  10  from a surface such as a floor. 
         [0028]    Each of the main panels  12 ,  14  is rectangular and includes a rectangular wooden frame having an upper or top wooden horizontally extending frame member  26 , a lower or bottom wooden horizontally extending frame member  28 , an outer wooden vertically extending frame member  30 , and an inner wooden vertically extending frame member  32 . The reference to outer means that which is fixed close to the side panel of the respective main panel. Side panels  16 ,  18  are on an outside of the barrier  10  as a whole. The reference to inner means that which is fixed away from outer elements on the respective panel. 
         [0029]    The upper and lower horizontal members  26 ,  28  have the same length (a direction defined as running from outer member  30  to inner member  32 ). The outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  have the same height (a direction defined as running from member  28  to  26 ). Members  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  have the same thickness (a direction defined as running from a front face of one of the main panels  12 ,  14  to the rear face of the same panel). 
         [0030]    Members  30 ,  32  are more narrow than members  26 ,  28 . In other words, the length of each of members  30 ,  32  is less than the height of each of the members  26 ,  28 . 
         [0031]    The outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  are sandwiched between the upper and lower horizontal members  26 ,  28 . In other words, the bottom edge of each of members  30 ,  32  engages the top edge of lower member  28 . The upper edge of each of members  30 ,  32  engages the lower edge of upper member  26 . The outer edge of outer vertical member  30  lies flush with the outer edge of upper and lower horizontal members  26 ,  28 . The outer edge of inner vertical member  32  lies flush with the inner edge of upper and lower horizontal members  26 ,  28 . 
         [0032]    A grid receiving channel  34  is formed in an inner periphery or inner edge of each of the main panels  12 ,  14 . Member  26  includes a lower edge having a channel portion formed therein, with such channel portion terminating short of the inner and outer edges of member  26 . Member  28  includes an upper edge having a channel portion formed therein, with such channel portion terminating short of the inner and outer edges of member  26 . Each of members  30 ,  32  includes an inner vertical edge having a channel portion formed therein, with such channel portion opening out of the upper and lower edges of the members  30 ,  32 . As a whole, such channel portions of members  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  communicate with each other and make up channel  34 . Channel  34  receives upper, lower and side edges of the grid  20  and retains the grid  20  in its respective main panel  12  or  14 . Channel  34  is formed midway between opposing faces of the rectangular frame portion in which it is formed. 
         [0033]    Side panels  16 ,  18  are formed identically to main panels  12 ,  14  except that side panels  16 ,  18  are shorter in length and except that each of the side panels includes a relatively long lower horizontal member. In other words, each of side panels  16 ,  18  includes a rectangular wooden frame having an upper or top wooden horizontally extending frame member  36 , a lower or bottom wooden horizontally extending frame member  38 , an outer wooden vertically extending frame member  40 , and an inner wooden vertically extending frame member  42 . 
         [0034]    The upper and lower horizontal members  36 ,  38  have a different length (a direction defined as running from member  40  to  42 ). Lower member  38  is generally about twice the length of upper member  36 . Lower member  38  forms an inverted T-shape with vertical member  42 . 
         [0035]    The outer and inner vertical members  40 ,  42  have the same height (a direction defined as running from member  38  to  36 ). Members  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  have the same thickness (a direction defined as running from an outside face of one of the side panels  16 ,  18  to the inner face of the same side panel). 
         [0036]    Members  40 ,  42  are more narrow than members  36 ,  38 . In other words, the length of each of members  40 ,  42  is less than the height of each of the members  36 ,  38 . 
         [0037]    The outer and inner vertical members  40 ,  42  are sandwiched between the upper and lower horizontal members  36 ,  38 . In other words, the bottom edge of each of members  40 ,  42  engages the top edge of lower member  38 . The upper edge of each of members  40 ,  42  engages the lower edge of upper member  36 . The outer edge of outer vertical member  40  lies flush with the outer edge of upper and lower horizontal members  36 ,  38 . The outer edge of inner vertical member  42  lies flush with the inner edge of upper and lower horizontal members  36 ,  38 . 
         [0038]    A grid receiving channel  44  is formed in an inner periphery of each of the side panels  16 ,  18 . Member  36  includes a lower edge having a channel portion formed therein, with such channel portion terminating short of the inner and outer edges of member  36 . Member  38  includes an upper edge having a channel portion formed therein, with such channel portion terminating at one end just beyond the junction between the inner edge of outer vertical member  40  and the upper edge of member  38  and at the other end just beyond the junction between the inner edge of inner vertical member  42  and the upper edge of member  38 . Each of members  40 ,  42  includes an inner vertical edge having a channel portion formed therein, with such channel portion opening out of the upper and lower edges of the members  40 ,  42 . As a whole, such channel portions of members  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  communicate with each other and make up channel  44 . Channel  44  receives upper, lower and side edges of the grid  21  and retains the grid  21  in its respective side panel  16  or  18 . Like channel  34 , channel  44  is formed half-way between the faces of the rectangular frame portion in which it is formed. 
         [0039]    Each of the grids  20 ,  21  includes four horizontally extending rods  46  spaced apart equidistantly from each other. The upper and lower horizontal rods  46  of each of grids  20 ,  21  is set in its respective channel portion of the upper horizontal member  26 ,  36  or lower horizontal member  28 ,  38 . The middle pair of horizontal rods  46  are exposed to view. 
         [0040]    Each of the grids  20 ,  21  includes a set of vertically extending rods  48  spaced apart equidistantly from each other. Grid  20  includes twenty-two vertically extending rods  48 . Grid  21  includes four vertically extending rods. The innermost and outermost vertically extending rods  48  are set in its respective channel portion of the outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32 ,  40 ,  42 . The remaining vertically extending rods  48  are exposed to view. 
         [0041]    Panel  12  includes a pair of feet  24 , where one foot  24  is engaged to the lower edge of lower horizontal member  28  at an inner end portion of the lower horizontal member  28  and adjacent to the inner vertical member  32  of panel  12 , and where the other foot  24  is engaged to the lower edge of lower horizontal member  28  at an outer end portion of lower horizontal member  28  and adjacent to the outer vertical member  30  of panel  12 . Panel  14  also includes a pair of feet  24 , where one foot  24  is engaged to the lower edge of lower horizontal member  28  at an inner end portion of the lower horizontal member  28  and adjacent to the inner vertical member  32  of panel  14 , and where the other foot  24  is engaged to the lower edge of lower horizontal member  28  and adjacent to the outer vertical member  30  of panel  14 . A pair of feet  24  affixed to each of the panels  12 ,  14  (rather than a single foot  24  on each of the panels  12 ,  14 ) keeps the respective horizontal members  28  (and the upper members  26 ) more parallel with each other and leads to a smoother sliding between members  28  (and member  26 ) in their respective connectors  22 . Each of side panels  16 ,  18  includes a pair of feet  24  engaged at opposite end portions of lower horizontal member  38  and engaged to the lower edge portion of lower horizontal member  38 . Feet  24  space the barrier  10  from a surface such as a floor. Feet  24  are frustoconical in shape and taper inwardly and downwardly. Feet  24  are fixed to their respective panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  with a pin connector. Feet  24  are formed from a resilient plastic or resilient elastomer that allows for sliding on a floor but minimizes excessive sliding and minimizes slipping on smooth surface such as wood or tile. 
         [0042]    Barrier  10  is maintained in an upright self-supporting or stand alone position by fixing the side panels  16 ,  18  to the main panels  12 ,  14  such that side panel  16  forms a T-shape with main panel  12  and such that side panel  18  forms a T-shape with main panel  14 . A pair of pin connectors  50  run from inner vertical member  42  to outer vertical member  30  to fix the side panels  16 ,  18  to the main panels  12 ,  14  in the T-shape. Pin connectors  50  are readily removable. Pin connectors  50  pass through metal receptors set in vertical members  42  and engage threaded metal receptors set in vertical members  30 . 
         [0043]    Connector  22  connects the main panels  12 ,  14  to each other and permits the main panels  12 ,  14  to slide parallel to each other. Connector  22  is in the nature of a swinging clamp or over-center clamp, where over-center is defined by the body of the connector  22  first being at rest, then by the body of the connector  22  flexing, and then by the body of the connector  22  returning at least partially from the flexed state to the locked state. 
         [0044]    Connector  22  includes a base  52 . Base  52  includes a first side section or lip  54 , a tranversing section  56 , and a second side section or lip  57 . Sections  54 ,  57  are set at a right angle to traversing section  56  such that base  52  is C-shaped. First side section  54  confronts one of the outside faces of one of the upper or lower horizontal members  26 ,  28 . Transversing section  56  confronts each of the horizontal members  26 ,  28 . Second side section  57  confronts one of the outside faces of the other of the upper or lower horizontal member  26 ,  28 . Base  52  is fixed to one of the upper or lower horizontal members  26 ,  28  by a pair of pin connectors  58  extending through the tranversing section  56 . 
         [0045]    Connector  22  further includes a roller latch or swinging clamp or locking mechanism  60  that is swingably fixed to an end of the transversing section  56  that is distal of the side section  54  and proximal to side section  57 . Swinging clamp  60  includes a base end  62  affixed to tranversing section  56  by a pin connector  64 . Swinging clamp  60  includes a clamping or bifurcated end  66  that includes a roller  68 . Clamping end  66  is bifurcated or forked to receive the roller  68  between the bifurcated portions  70 . Roller  68  rolls on an axis defined by pin connector  72  running through the bifurcated portions  70  and roller  68 . Roller  68  has a cylindrical outer surface  74  that extends beyond outer surfaces of the bifurcated portions  70  so as to engage an edge  76  of upper or lower horizontal member  26 ,  28 . Edge  76  can be an upper edge of lower horizontal member  28  or a lower edge of upper horizontal member  26 . 
         [0046]    Swinging clamp  60  may be referred to as an over-center clamp. Clamp  60  includes a body  78  between the base end  62  and the bifurcated end  66 . Body  78  is plastic and is one-piece and integral with base end  62  and bifurcated end  66 . Body  78  is resilient. When swinging clamp  60  is swung toward edge  76 , roller  68  may first make contact with a face  80  of member  26  or  28  or a corner  82  formed by face  80  and edge  76 . As the swinging clamp  60  is swung further into a clamping position, one or more of body  78 , base end  62 , bifurcated end  66 , pin connector  72  and roller  68  may flex to permit travel of the roller  68  over corner  82  and onto edge  76 . Bifurcated end  66  is elongate and straight and includes an axis  84 . Prior to the roller  68  making contact with one or more of face  80 , corner  82  or edge  76 , axis  84  has a position A as shown in  FIG. 3D . In position A, clamp  60  is unflexed. When clamp  60  flexes upon contact with one or more of corner  82 , face  80  or edge  76 , axis  84  may have a position B as shown in  FIG. 3D . As roller  68  rolls over one or more of face  80 , corner  82  or edge  76  and into a position where body  78  more closely confronts face  80 , clamp  60  attains an over-center position C as shown in  FIG. 3E . In position C, axis  84  may extend at an angle between the angles of axis  84  shown by position A and B in  FIG. 3D . In the over-center position shown in  FIG. 3E , roller  68  may engage the channel  34  such that channel  34  serves as a seat for roller  68 , which holds one of the horizontal members  26 ,  28  stationary relative to the other of the horizontal members  26 ,  28 . 
         [0047]    When the clamp  60  is pushed or pulled out of the channel or seat  34  and rotated or swung to an out-of-the-way position where roller  68  is free of horizontal members  26 ,  28 , the horizontal members  26 ,  28  may slide relatively to each other. An edge  86  of one of the horizontal members  26 ,  28  slides on the traversing section  56  and face  80  slides by second section  57  of the base  52 . 
         [0048]    Base  52  includes the first side section  54 , the traversing section  56 , and the second side section  57 . Base  52  is integral and one-piece. First side section  54 , traversing section  56 , and second side section  57  are integral and one-piece with each other. Second side section  57  extends at a right angle to traversing section  56 . Second side section  57  extends parallel to first side section  54 . Second side section  57  is a lip that guides and retains one of the horizontal members  26 ,  28  as the horizontal members  26 ,  28  slide relatively to each other. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , swinging clamp  60  includes bifurcated portions  88  at the swing base end  62  as well as bifurcated portions  70  at the clamping end  66 . Bifurcated portions  88  are fixed to traversing section  56  by pin connector  64 . Bifurcated portions  88  form a cutout for reception therein of second side section  57  that confronts the sliding face  80  of one of the horizontal members  26 ,  28 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 3E , pin  64  defines a horizontal axis for swinging of base end  62  and pin  72  defines a horizontal axis for rolling of roller  68 . The horizontal axes of pins  64  and  72  are offset from each other in the vertical direction. In other words, lower horizontal member  28  of panel  12  includes a vertical plane splitting the member  28  into two one-half sections. The horizontal axis of pin  72  lies in this vertical plane when the roller  68  is seated in the channel  34 . At all times, since pin  64  is fixed at one location, the horizontal axis of pin  64  lies between such vertical plane and the plane defined by face  80  of lower horizontal member  28  of panel  12 . The horizontal axes of pins  64  and  72  are parallel to each other. The horizontal axis of pin  64  is disposed between the vertical plane splitting member  28  into equal half-sections and the vertical plane of face  80 . With such a structure or relationship between pins  64  and  72 , roller  68  is more securely seated in channel  34 . With such a structure of relationship between pins  64  and  72 , clamp  60  can secure in a nonsliding fashion two adjacent panels  12 ,  14  together prior to when roller  68  is seated in channel  34 ; for example, roller  68  can make head on contact with one of the vertical rods  48 , can securely pinch against edge  76  and/or corner  82 , and can in this position secure in nonsliding fashion two adjacent panels  12 ,  14  together such that panels  12 ,  14  can be incrementally adjusted in length relative to each other. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , barrier  10  includes four connectors  22 . Each of these connectors  22  are identical. However, for discussion purposes, these connectors are hereby given different reference numbers, namely,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98 . 
         [0052]    Connector  92  is fixed with connector pin  56  to the lower horizontal member  28  of main panel  12  and permits sliding movement thereby of lower horizontal member  28  of main panel  14 . Connector  92 , via roller  68 , releasably fixes thereto lower horizontal member  28  of main panel  14 . 
         [0053]    Connector  94  is fixed with connector pin  56  to the upper horizontal member  26  of main panel  12  and permits sliding movement thereby of upper horizontal member  28  of main panel  14 . Connector  94 , via roller  68 , releasably fixes thereto upper horizontal member  28  of main panel  14 . 
         [0054]    Connector  96  is fixed with connector pin  56  to the lower horizontal member  28  of main panel  14  and permits sliding movement thereby of lower horizontal member  28  of main panel  12 . Connector  96 , via roller  68 , releasably fixes thereto lower horizontal member  28  of main panel  12 . 
         [0055]    Connector  98  is fixed with connector pin  56  to the upper horizontal member  26  of main panel  14  and permits sliding movement thereby of upper horizontal member  28  of main panel  12 . Connector  98 , via roller  68 , releasably fixes thereto upper horizontal member  28  of main panel  12 . 
         [0056]    Connectors  92 ,  94  are fixed with connector pin  56  to an outer end portion of main panel  12 . Connectors  96 ,  96  are fixed with connector pin  56  to an outer end portion of main panel  14 . 
         [0057]    In operation, to fashion a relatively wide gate, the swinging clamps  60  of each of the connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  are disengaged from their respective upper or lower horizontal member  26 ,  28 . Upon such a disengagement, the main panels  12 ,  14  can slide by each other and outwardly where the outer vertical members  30  slide away from each other. This outward sliding stops when the inside edges of connectors  92 ,  94  make contact with the inside edges of connectors  96 ,  98 . 
         [0058]    To fashion a relative narrow gate, the swinging clamps  60  of each of the connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  are disengaged from their respective upper or lower horizontal member  26 ,  28 . Upon such a disengagement, the main panels  12 ,  14  can slide by each other and inwardly where the outer vertical members  30  slide toward each other. This inward sliding stops when the outer vertical edge of inner vertical member  32  of main panel  12  makes contact with the upper and lower horizontal members  36 ,  38  of side panel  18  and when the outer vertical edge of inner member  32  of main panel  14  makes contact with the lower horizontal member  38  of side panel  16 . 
         [0059]    To manufacture the barrier  10 , lower horizontal member  28  can be fixed, such as with glue, to outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  so as to form a C-shaped frame. Then grid  20  can be slid into the channel portions of the channel  34  of the outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  and further slid into the channel portion of the channel  34  of the lower horizontal member  28 . Then the upper horizontal member  26  can be set on the upper ends of the outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  so as to receive the upper horizontal rod  46  in the channel portion of the channel  34  of the upper horizontal member  26 . Then the upper ends of the outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  can be fixed, such as with glue, to the outer and inner ends of the upper horizontal member  26  to encapsulate the grid  20  in one of the main panels  12 ,  14 . It should be noted that four pieces capture grid  20  and that these four pieces can be set about the grid  20  in any sequence. For example, upper and lower horizontal members  26 ,  28  can first be set on the grid  20 . Then the outer and inner vertical members  30 ,  32  can be brought onto the grid  20  and then glued to the upper and lower horizontal members  26 ,  28 . Except for being captured or entrapped in the channel  34 , grid  20  is not otherwise affixed to the main panel  12 ,  14  such that there is play (small vertical and horizontal movement of the grid  20 ) between the grid  20  and the main panel  12  or  14 . Grid  21  can be encapsulated in each of the side panels  16 ,  18  in the same way as grid  20  is encapsulated. 
         [0060]    Barrier  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a self-supporting or stand alone barrier. It requires no connection to a vertically running surface, such as the vertically running surface of a door jamb or wall, to keep the main panels  12 ,  14  upright. The T-connection between side panel  16  and main panel  12  and the T-connection between side panel  18  and main panel  14  maintains the interconnected panels  12 ,  14  in an upright position. 
         [0061]    Barrier  10  shown in  FIG. 1  can be self-supporting or stand alone with just one of the side panels  16 ,  18 . In other words, with side panel  18  removed, side panel  16  and the T-connection the side panel  16  makes with main panels  12  and  14  is sufficient to hold main panels  12 ,  14  in the upright position. Panels  12 ,  14  can be slid relative to each other in the three paneled embodiment. A three paneled embodiment can also be formed with side panel  18 , main panel  12  and main panel  14 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , pressure barrier  100  includes neither side panel  16  nor side panel  18  but does includes each of the main panels  12 ,  14  and their features. In lieu of the side panels  16 ,  18 , barrier  100  includes a set of four in line connectors  102 . Each of the connectors  102  includes fixed knob  104  set on the proximal end of a threaded shaft  106 . Fixed knob  104  and shaft  106  turn as one unit. Fixed knob  104  and shaft  106  do not rotate relative to each other. Connector  102  further includes a rotating threaded spacer or knob  108  that mates with and turns on threaded shaft  106  from a proximal end to a distal end of the shaft  106 . The distal end of the shaft  106  is inserted into an opening formed on the outer edge of outer vertical member  30  of main panels  12 ,  14 . The opening into which the distal end of shaft  106  is inserted extends horizontally into the upper or lower horizontal member  26 ,  28  and can consist of a metal or plastic receiver that is threaded or nonthreaded so as to be cylindrical. The opening into which the distal end of shaft  106  is inserted may not include a metal or plastic receiver, may not be lined in any fashion, and may be cylindrical. Both the fixed knob  104  and rotating knob  108  have diameters that are greater than the shaft  106 . Fixed knob  104  is shaped in the form of a disk and has an outside roughened face with a relatively great amount of surface area to make contact with a vertically running surface such as the vertically running surface  110  of a door jamb  112 . Rotating knob  108  includes an inner smooth surface with a relatively great amount of surface area to make contact with the outer edge of the outer vertical member  30  of main panel  12  or  14 . By turning knob  108  and running knob  108  back and forth along the shaft  106  from the distal end to the proximal end, connectors  108  can incrementally be adjusted to a certain width between two vertically running surfaces such as the vertically running surfaces  110  of two door jambs  112 . Connectors  108  may hold barrier  100 , including feet  24 , above the floor and upright at the same time. Connectors  108  may hold barrier  100  upright and, at the same time, feet  24  may engage the floor. As well as adjusting connectors  102  in the horizontal direction, connectors  22  can be operated to adjust the main panels  12 ,  14  relative to each other horizontally. In other words, to adjust the effective or total length of barrier  100 , an operator has the options of adjusting only the connectors  22 , or adjusting one or more of the connectors  102 , or adjusting the connectors  22  and one or more of the connectors  102 . 
         [0063]    Each of the main panels  12 ,  14  has an upper visible horizontally extending rod  46  and a lower visible horizontally extending rod  46 . The upper visible horizontally extending rod  46  is set at about one-third of the distance from the lower edge of top horizontal member  26  to the upper edge of lower horizontal member  28 . Lower horizontally extending rod  46  is set at about two-thirds of the distance from the lower edge of top horizontal member  26  to the upper edge of lower horizontal member  28 . A first space  114  between the upper visible horizontally extending rod  46  and the lower edge of top horizontal member  28  has only interrupting vertical members. A second space  116  between the upper visible horizontally extending rod  46  and lower visible horizontally extending rod  46  has only interrupting vertical members. A third space  117  between the lower visible horizontally extending rod  46  and the upper edge of the lower horizontal member  28  has only interrupting vertical members. Vertically extending rods  48  are the interrupting vertical members. 
         [0064]    None of the first, second or third spaces  112 ,  114 ,  116  of grid  20  takes up at least a three-fifths portion (60%) of the open space running from the lower edge of top horizontal member  26  to the upper edge of the lower horizontal member  28 . Each of the first, second, and third spaces takes up about 33% of the open space running from the lower edge of the top horizontal member  26  to the upper edge of the lower horizontal member  28 . Grid  21  has the same first, second, and third spaces taking up, respectively, about 33% of such open space. The structure, or pattern, of the rods or wires of grid  20  is the same as the structure, or pattern, of the rods or wires of grid  21 . 
         [0065]    Each of the side panels  16 ,  18  includes a lower horizontal member  38 . Each of the lower horizontal members  38  includes a front or forwardly or laterally extending leg  118  that extends forwardly of or beyond a plane defined by the main panel  12 ,  14  to which the leg  118  is directly connected. Leg  118  is one-piece and integral with the lower or bottom wooden horizontally extending frame member  38  of side panel  16 ,  18 . Frame member  38  of side panel  16 ,  18  is in turn connected to vertically extending member  42  of side panel  16 ,  18 . Member  42  of side panel  16 ,  18  is in turn connected to its respective main panel  12 ,  14 . 
         [0066]    It should be noted that legs  118  are not directly connected to their respective main panels  12 ,  14 . Instead, such legs  118  lead integrally into their respective lower or bottom horizontally extending frame members  38 , which in turn are connected to their respective vertically extending members  42 , which in turn are connected to their respective main panels  12 ,  14 . The vertically extending members  42  are connected via pin connectors  50  that extend from vertically extending members  42  to their respective vertically extending members  30  of the main panels  12 ,  14 . 
         [0067]    The barrier  10  includes a set of four transversely extending slide connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  that slidingly connect the main panels  12  and  14  to each other. Connectors  92 ,  94  are rigidly affixed to main panel  12  and are offset from (or spaced apart from) the inner vertically extending frame member  32  of main panel  12 . Connectors  96 ,  98  are rigidly affixed to main panel  14  and are offset from (or spaced apart from) the inner vertically extending frame member  32  of main panel  14 . 
         [0068]    The slide connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  are structured such that main panels  12 ,  14  are continuously slideable incrementally past each other to positions that have been previously undefined. In other words, a position where main panel  12  stops and a position where main panel  14  stops are determined not by predefined structures present on main panels  12 ,  14 , but by the width of a unique opening found in a residential home. Slide connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  grip the top and lower frame members  26 ,  28  with a friction fit between vertical rods  48  or on edge  76  between rods  48  and face  80 . 
         [0069]    The in-house residential barrier  10  is employed to keep children or pets in or out of certain areas in the house. The barrier  10  includes a pair of main panels  12 ,  14 , each of which includes a rectangular frame and a set of vertically extending rods  48  and horizontally extending rods  46  within the rectangular frame. 
         [0070]    The rectangular frame of each of the panels  12 ,  14  includes a top horizontally extending frame member  26 , a bottom horizontally extending frame member  28 , an outer vertically extending frame member  30 , and an inner vertically extending frame member  32 . 
         [0071]    The top horizontally extending frame member  26  includes an outer end  120  and an inner end  122 . The bottom horizontally extending frame member  28  includes an outer end  124  and an inner end  126 . The outer vertically extending frame member  30  confronts the outer ends  120 ,  124  of the top and bottom horizontally extending frame members  26 ,  28 . The inner vertically extending frame member  32  confronts the inner ends  122 ,  126  of the top and bottom horizontally extending frame members  26 ,  28 . 
         [0072]    The grid  20  or set of vertically and horizontally extending rods includes horizontal rods  46  extending to and between the outer and inner vertically extending frame members  30 ,  32 . The vertical rods  48  extend to and between the top and bottom horizontally extending frame members  26 ,  28 . 
         [0073]    Each of the side panels  16 ,  18  includes a rectangular frame and a grid or set  21  of vertically extending rods  48  and horizontally extending rods  46  within the rectangular frame. 
         [0074]    The rectangular frame of each of the side panels  16 ,  18  includes an upper horizontally extending frame member  36 , a bottom horizontally extending frame member  38 , an outer or rear vertically extending frame member  40 , and an inner or front vertically extending frame member  42 . 
         [0075]    The top horizontally extending frame member  36  includes an outer end  128  and an inner end  130 . The bottom horizontally extending frame member  38  includes a pair of ends  132 ,  134 . The outer vertically extending frame member  40  confronts the outer end  128  of the top horizontally extending frame member  36  and an end  132  of the bottom horizontally extending frame member  38 . The inner vertically extending frame member  42  confronts the inner end  130  of the top horizontally extending frame member  36  and a midsection  136  of the bottom horizontally extending frame member  38 . 
         [0076]    The grid or set  21  of vertically and horizontally extending rods of each of the side panels  16 ,  18  includes horizontal rods  46  extending to and between the outer and inner vertically extending frame members  40 ,  42  and vertical rods  48  extending to and between the top and bottom horizontally extending frame members  36 ,  38 . 
         [0077]    The first panel  12  is engaged to the second panel  14 . The first panel  12  lies generally in a first plane. The second panel  14  lies generally in a second plane. The first and second planes of the panels  12 ,  14  are parallel to each other. 
         [0078]    The third panel  16  is engaged to the first panel  12 . The third panel  16  lies generally in a third plane. The first and third planes of the first and third panels  12 ,  16  are generally at a right angle to each other. 
         [0079]    The fourth panel  18  is engaged to the second panel  14 . The fourth panel  18  lies generally in a fourth plane. The second and fourth planes of the second and fourth panels  14 ,  18  are generally at a right angle to each other. The fourth plane of the fourth panel  18  is parallel to the third plane of the third panel  16 . 
         [0080]    The first plane or the first panel  12  includes a first front face  138  and a first rear face  140 . The bottom horizontally extending member  38  extends beyond each of the first front and rear faces  138 ,  140 . The top horizontally extending member  36  extends only beyond the first rear face  140 . The inner vertically extending frame member  42  of side panel  16  confronts the outer vertically extending frame member  30  of main panel  12 . 
         [0081]    The second plane or the second main panel  14  includes a front face  142  and a rear face  144 . The bottom horizontally extending member  38  of side panel  18  extends beyond each of the front and rear faces  142 ,  144 , and further extends beyond each of the front and rear faces  138 ,  140 . Also, bottom horizontally extending member  38  of side panel  16  extends beyond each of the front and rear faces  142 ,  144  of main panel  14 . The top horizontally extending member  36  of side panel  18  extends beyond the rear face  144  and beyond the rear face  140 . The top horizontally extending member  36  of side panel  16  also extends beyond the rear face  144  of main panel  14 . The inner vertically extending frame member  42  of side panel  18  confronts the outer vertically extending frame member  30  of main panel  14 . 
         [0082]    The first panel  12  overlaps the second panel  14 . The outer vertically extending frame member  30  of first panel  12  is incrementally and slideably adjustable to and away from the inner vertically extending frame member  32  of the second panel  14 . The outer vertically extending frame member  30  of the second panel  14  is incrementally and slideably adjustable to and away from the inner vertically extending frame member  32  of the first panel  12 . Also, the outer vertically extending frame members  30  of the main panels  12 ,  14  are incrementally and slideably adjustable to and away from each other. Also, the inner vertically extending frame members  32  of the main panels  12 ,  14  are incrementally and slideably adjustable to and away from each other. 
         [0083]    The barrier  10  includes a pair of feet  24  depending from the bottom horizontally extending frame member  38  of each of the side panels  16 ,  18 . Each foot  24  of such pair of feet depend from an end portion of the bottom horizontally extending frame member  38  to space an underside of the bottom horizontally extending frame members  38  from a floor. 
         [0084]    The barrier  10  further includes a set of feet  24 , where a first pair of feet  24  depends from bottom horizontally extending frame member  28  of first panel  12 , and where a second pair of feet  24  depends from bottom horizontally extending frame member  28  of second panel  14  to space the undersides of the bottom horizontally extending frame members  28  from a floor. 
         [0085]    The horizontal rods  46  of each of the grids  20 ,  21  are spaced equidistantly from each other. The vertical rods  48  of each of the grids  20 ,  21  are spaced equidistantly from each other. 
         [0086]    Each of the first and second rectangular frames of the first and second panels  12 ,  14  is formed from and consists essentially of wood. Each of the third and fourth rectangular frames of the third and fourth panels  16 ,  18  is formed from and consists essentially of wood. 
         [0087]    Frames of panels  12 ,  14 , may be formed of distinct horizontally and vertically running frame members, where members  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  are formed of a natural wood product or a molded or synthetic wood product. Frames of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  may be integral and one-piece where the frames of such panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are formed of a molded or synthetic wood product and where, in such a case, grids  20 ,  21  are set therein prior to or during the molding or fabrication process. 
         [0088]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment or barrier  146 . Barrier  146  is identical to barrier  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , except that barrier  146  includes a pet door  148 . Pet door  148  can have a wooden, metal, or plastic outer frame  150  that is anchored in main panel  14  by vertical and horizontal rods  46 ,  48  engaging upper and side portions of the frame  150 . Frame  150  is generally three sided, with the fourth side being defined by the bottom horizontally extending frame member  28 . Pet door  148  further includes an inner frame  152  that is hingedly connected to the outer frame  150  and swings toward the rear face  144  of main panel  14 . Inner frame  152  sits inside of outer frame  150  when the pet door  148  is closed, i.e., when inner frame  152  is closed. Inner frame  152  includes a latch  154  to engage and disengage the frames  150 ,  152  to and from each other. Inner frame  152  includes vertical rods  156  and, if desired, may include horizontally extending rods. Pet door  148  is sufficiently large to permit cats and small dogs to pass therethrough. Pet door  148  is sufficiently small to prevent toddlers or crawling babies from passing through or may be sized sufficiently small to prevent a large dog from passing through. 
         [0089]    Rods  46 ,  48  of grids  20 ,  21  and rod  156  of the grid in pet door  148  may be bars or tubes or wires or other elongate, relatively narrow members. Vertical rods  48  and horizontal rods  46  cross each other at junctions. The rods  46 ,  48  may be welded or otherwise engaged at such junctions. The rods  46 ,  48  may be woven relative to each other so as to alternatively pass frontwardly and rearwardly of the other. 
         [0090]    Rods  46 ,  48 ,  156  extend from a central section of the respective frame member to which such rod is anchored, i.e., midway between, for example, the front face  142  and the rear face  144  where such rod is on one of the main panels  12 ,  14 . Rods  46 ,  48  in the side panels  16 ,  18  also extend from a central section of the respective frame member to which such rod is anchored. Rods  156  extend from a central section in inner frame  152  of the pet door  148 . 
         [0091]    Slide connectors  22  (i.e., individual connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ) can extend for 360 degrees or can stop short of 360 degrees. Connectors  22  can be tightened to prevent sliding of the panels  12 ,  14  relative to each other. Connectors  22  can be loosened to permit sliding of the panels  12 ,  14  relative to each other. Two top connectors  94 ,  98  fix the top horizontally extending members  26  of panels  12 ,  14  to each other. Two bottom connectors  92 ,  96  fix the bottom horizontally extending members  28  of panels  12 ,  14  to each other. Each of the connectors  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  is affixed to either an inner end portion of upper horizontal member  26  or an inner end portion of lower horizontal member  28 . 
         [0092]    Bottom horizontally extending member  38  is integral and one-piece from end  132  to end  134  and from its lower edge to its upper edge. 
         [0093]    Main panel  12  and main panel  14  can be slid relatively closely together such that side panels  16 ,  18  can fit inside of a relatively narrow opening such as a doorway opening. Main panel  12  and main panel  14  can be slid relatively far apart to partition a room in half. Each of barriers  10 ,  146  can wall off a corner of a room so as to form a triangular playpen for a pet or child. Each of barriers  10 ,  100  and  146  can be picked up as one piece and moved to another location in the house. Each of barriers  10  and  146  can be can be stored in a generally flat form by removing pin connectors  50  so as to disengaged side panels  16 ,  18  from their respective main panels  12 ,  14 . Barrier  100 , having only panels  12 ,  14 , is operative in a flat form and can be stored in its operating flat form. 
         [0094]    Grids  20 ,  21  and the grid in inner frame  152  of pet door  148  can be a mesh or network, or an arrangement of metal or plastic links or wires or rods or elongate elements that engage each other and have small openings, such as evenly spaced, uniform small openings. 
         [0095]    Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Summary:
A barrier employed to keep children and/or pets in or out of certain areas in the house. The barrier includes four panels. Two main panels slide parallel to each other to lengthen or shorten the barrier as a whole. Two side panels stabilize the main panels and extend to the front and rear faces of the main panels to provide a self-supporting in-house barrier. Each of the panels includes a wooden frame. The wood lends less weight, less sharp edges, and more pleasing aesthetics than, for example, a metal gate.