Abstract:
A protective barrier that will typically be installed beneath ceilings during construction work being performed on ceilings or roofs of buildings. The protective barrier can be comprised entirely of one material or of different materials connected by seams. Some or all of these materials can be designed to fail when contacted by water via dissolution, melting or through some other destructive process initiated by contact with water. Some or all of the materials comprising the protective barrier can be designed to fail at a certain temperature. This failure can create access points from the ceiling through the protective barrier to the area being protected by the barrier, which can allow water from a fire suppression system to reach a fire located below the protective barrier.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/616,817 filed Nov. 12, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, which claims benefit to U.S. provisional application No. 61/243,866 filed Sep. 18, 2009, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/769,659 filed Feb. 26, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present device relates to protective barriers that are typically installed beneath ceilings during construction work being performed on ceilings or roofs of buildings. A protective barrier can comprise sections connected by seams. These seams or the entire protective barrier can be designed to fail when contacted by water, either by dissolution, melting or by some other destructive process. Failure of one or more of the seams can create access points from the ceiling through the protective barrier to the area being protected by the barrier. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Protective barriers, such as those described herein, prevent dust and debris from falling on floors, on people, or on equipment located below a ceiling or roof being repaired or constructed. In this way, the protective barrier protects from added costs from damage or injury resulting from this falling material and allows work to continue below the ceiling or roof. Such barriers are commonly constructed from polyethylene sheets or similar materials, which have proven to be durable, easy to work with, and inexpensive. However, a problem can arise with this type or protective barrier when it is installed below a fire suppression sprinkler system, which is often required in order to meet performance expectations. Such an installation can impair the flow of water from the fire suppression sprinkler system to a fire located beneath the protective barrier. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a protective barrier that can perform its primary function of protecting people and property from falling dust and debris, but also has the capacity to allow water from a fire suppression sprinkler system to gain access to a fire located below the barrier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an aspect of the present device to provide a protective barrier which can protect people and property from falling dust and debris, but also has the capacity to allow water from a fire suppression sprinkler system to gain access to a fire located below the barrier. 
         [0006]    The above aspects can be obtained by a protective barrier, comprising: at least two sections of waterproof material; and a plurality of seams comprising a temperature sensitive material attaching the at least two sections of waterproof material. 
         [0007]    The above aspects can also be obtained by a protective barrier that comprises at least two sections of waterproof material and a plurality of seams comprising a material that reacts exothermically with water, the seams attaching the at least two sections of waterproof material. 
         [0008]    The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that comprises providing a planar sheet comprising a material that is either water soluble or reacts exothermically with water; and elevating the planar sheet above a floor and under a sprinkler system, wherein the planar sheet prevents dust or debris from reaching the floor. 
         [0009]    These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier comprised of a water soluble material or a material that reacts exothermically with water according to an embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier comprising water soluble seams, according to an embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier comprising seams, which further comprise a material that can react exothermically with water, according to an embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier installed beneath a fire suppression system, according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier installed beneath a fire suppression system, wherein a fire is located beneath the protective barrier and a sprinkler above the fire and protective barrier has been activated thereby releasing water, according to an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier installed beneath a fire suppression system, wherein a seam has failed due to contact with water and/or elevated temperatures, creating an opening in the protective barrier and allowing water from a sprinkler to reach a fire, according to an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier comprising temperature sensitive seams, according to an embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  800  comprised of a temperature sensitive material that reacts at a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate a sprinkler; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  900  comprised in part of a temperature sensitive material that reacts at a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler and in part of a water-soluble material, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
         [0021]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  100  comprised of a water soluble material or a material that reacts exothermically with water according to an embodiment. 
         [0023]    A protective barrier  100  can be comprised entirely of a water soluble polymer, which can prevent dust and debris from reaching a protected area when dry. This protective barrier can dissolve in full or in part when contacted by water allowing water from a fire suppression sprinkler system  101  to reach a fire  102  located below the protective barrier  100 . The protective barrier  100  can be comprised of a polymer comprising polyvinyl alcohol or any other suitable water soluble material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0024]    A protective barrier  100  can also be comprised entirely of materials that react exothermically with water, which can prevent dust and debris from reaching a protected area when dry. This exothermic reaction can cause the protective barrier to melt in full or in part when contacted by water allowing water from a fire suppression sprinkler system  101  to reach a fire  102  located below the protective barrier  100 . The protective barrier  100  can be comprised of a polymer or similar material further comprising magnesium metal or any other suitable material that react exothermically with water, that is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  200  comprising water soluble seams  201 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0026]    A protective barrier  200  comprising water soluble seams  201  can be comprised of sections  202  of standard, waterproof or water resistant material, such as polyethylene, vinyl or some other suitable material known to those with ordinary skill in the art of protective barriers. These sections  202  can be connected by seams  201  made from water soluble materials. Such seams  201  can comprise strips of water soluble materials which can be connected to the edges of the sections  202 . These strips of water soluble material can be connected to the sections  202  by stitching, adhesives, glues, rivets, staples, or any other similar devices known to those with ordinary skill in the art (not pictured). Furthermore, the seams  201  can be totally comprised of water soluble stitchings, adhesives, glues, or similar connecting devices which are known to those of ordinary skill in the art (not pictured). Seams  201 , comprising these water soluble materials, can dissolve upon contact with water allowing the sections  202  to fall to the floor or for openings to form between the sections  202  allowing water to pass by or through the protective barrier  200 . In this way, the protective barrier  200  could allow water from a fire suppression system (not pictured) to reach a fire located below the barrier  200 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  300  comprising seams  301  that comprise a material that can react exothermically with water, according to an embodiment. 
         [0028]    A protective barrier  300  comprising exothermically reactive seams  301  can be comprised of sections  302  of standard, waterproof or water resistant material, such as polyethylene, vinyl or other suitable material known to those of ordinary skill in the art of protective barriers. These sections  302  can be connected by exothermically reactive seams  301  made from materials, or treated with chemicals that react exothermically with water to create heat sufficient to melt the exothermically reactive seams  301 . This reactive material can be magnesium metal or any other material known to sufficiently react exothermically with water so that the heat reactive seams  301 , comprising these heat reactive materials, can melt or otherwise disintegrate the exothermically reactive seams  301  comprising the protective barrier  300 . This melting or disintegration can allow the sections  302  of the protective barrier to either fall to the floor or for openings to form between the sections  302  allowing water from a fire suppression sprinkler (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) to pass by or through it  300 . 
         [0029]    The material(s) used for the seams in any of the embodiments described herein can cost more than the waterproof or water resistant material used in the sections. Thus, by combining the seams and sections as described herein, a more cost effective barrier can be produced. Furthermore, in addition to the square checkerboard pattern illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the sections and seams can be formed and connected using other shapes as well, such as triangles, diamonds, polygons, curves, arbitrary shapes, etc. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier  400  installed beneath a fire suppression system. 
         [0031]    The protective barrier  400  is located below a fire suppression system  405 . The protective barrier  400  can comprise sections  402  of standard, waterproof or water resistant material, such as polyethylene, vinyl or other similar material known to those with ordinary skill in the art of protective barriers. These sections  402  can be connected by seams  401  made from water soluble materials, or materials that react exothermically with water and melt when contacted with water, heat sensitive materials or any other material that will cause the sections  402  to separate when exposed to water or fire. When dry, this protective barrier  400  can prevent dust and debris from reaching the protected area located beneath it. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier  500  installed beneath a fire suppression system  505 , wherein a fire  510  is located beneath the protective barrier  500  and a sprinkler  506  above the fire  510  and protective barrier  500  has been activated thereby releasing water  508 . 
         [0033]    Water  508  released by the sprinkler  506 , which is part of the fire suppression system  505 , contacts one or more seams  501  attaching sections of the protective barrier  500 . This water  508  can dissolve seams  501  comprising water soluble materials, reducing their tensile strength and causing them to fail, according to an embodiment. 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment, the entire protective barrier can be comprised of one or more water soluble materials. Water contacting any part of this protective barrier would cause the contacted part to dissolve resulting in openings in the protective barrier. 
         [0035]    In another alternative embodiment, water  508  released by the sprinkler  506 , can contact one or more seams  501  comprising the protective barrier  500 . This water  508  can react exothermically with the seams  501  which can be made from materials such as magnesium metal, which react with water to create heat. This heat can cause the seams to melt or to sufficiently reduce their tensile strength to cause them to fail. 
         [0036]    In another alternative embodiment, the entire protective barrier  500  can be comprised of materials that react exothermically with water. Water  508  contacting any part of this protective barrier  500  can cause the contacted part to melt or disintegrate resulting in openings in the protective barrier  500 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier  600  installed beneath a fire suppression system  605 , wherein a seam  601  has failed due to contact with water  608 , creating an opening in the protective barrier  600  allowing water  608  from a sprinkler  606  to reach a fire  610 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  700  comprising temperature sensitive seams  701 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0039]    A protective barrier  700  comprising temperature sensitive seams  701  can be comprised of sections  702  of standard, waterproof or water resistant material, such as polyethylene, vinyl or other suitable material known to those of ordinary skill in the art of protective barriers. These sections  702  can be connected by temperature sensitive seams  701  made from materials that can allow the temperature sensitive seams  701  to fail at a temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler (not shown). In an embodiment, this heat-reactive material can be thread comprising copolyamide, which is marketed under the trade name GRILON LT, or polycaprolacton, which is marketed under the trade name GRILON VLT 1, or any other material known to be sufficiently heat sensitive so that the temperature sensitive seams  701 , comprising these temperature reactive materials, can melt, open up, fall apart or otherwise disintegrate when the temperature sensitive seams  701 , comprising the protective barrier  700  are heated to a certain temperature. This melting or disintegration can allow the sections  702  of the protective barrier  700  to either fall to the floor or for openings to form between the sections  702  allowing water from a fire suppression sprinkler to pass by or through the protective barrier  700 . 
         [0040]    In an embodiment, the temperature sensitive seams  701  can comprise a combination of water soluble seams and temperature sensitive seams where the water soluble seams can dissolve upon contact with water and the temperature sensitive seams can open up or disintegrate upon contact with a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the fire suppression sprinkler. In an embodiment, the temperature sensitive seams can be integrated into the water soluble seams. The integrated temperature sensitive seams can open up when it contacts a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler. The water soluble seams can dissolve upon contact with water. The opening up of the temperature sensitive seams and the dissolving of the water soluble seams can allow the sections  702  of the protective barrier  700  to either fall to the floor to for openings to form between the sections  702  allowing water from a sprinkler to pass by or through the protective barrier  700 . In an embodiment, the water soluble seams can comprise one or more slits or holes and the slits or holes can be covered with temperature sensitive seams that can comprise a tape or glue or other material that can fall apart or open up at a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler. 
         [0041]    In an embodiment, the temperature sensitive seams  701  can comprise metal or wire that can be electrically activated in the event of a fire or alarm. Electrical activation can comprise heating the temperature sensitive seams  701  to a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler which can allow the temperature sensitive seams  701  to open up or fall apart. 
         [0042]    The material(s) used for the temperature sensitive seams  701  in any of the embodiments described herein can cost more than the waterproof or water resistant material used in the sections  702 . Thus, by combining the temperature sensitive seams  701  and sections  702  as described herein, a more cost effective barrier can be produced. Furthermore, in addition to the square checkerboard pattern illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the sections  702  and temperature sensitive seams  701  can be formed and connected using other shapes as well, such as triangles, diamonds, polygons, curves, arbitrary shapes, etc. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  800  comprised of a temperature sensitive material that reacts at a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler. 
         [0044]    A protective barrier  800  can be comprised entirely of temperature sensitive material, which can prevent dust and debris from reaching a protected area when heated to a particular temperature. In an embodiment, this temperature can be within a range between 140 degrees and 180 degrees. Openings in this protective barrier  800  can form any part is heated to a certain temperature, which can be lower than the temperature set to activate a fire suppression sprinkler, allowing water from a sprinkler system (not shown) to reach a fire (not shown) located below the protective barrier  800 . The protective barrier  800  can be comprised of copolyamide, which is marketed under the trade name GRILON LT, or polycaprolacton, which is marketed under the trade name GRILON VLT 1, or any other material known to be sufficiently heat sensitive so that the temperature reactive materials, can melt, open up, fall apart or otherwise disintegrate when any part of the protective barrier  800  is heated to a certain temperature. 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing of a protective barrier  900  comprised in part of a temperature sensitive material that reacts at a certain temperature lower than the temperature set to activate the sprinkler and in part of a water-soluble material, according to an embodiment. 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment, wherein the entire protective barrier is made from temperature sensitive materials, holes can be created in the barrier at any place where it is contacted by water. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a close-up view of a heat sensitive seam  1201 , such as those shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the seam  1201  can be comprised of one or more heat sensitive threads  1703 , which can interlock with heat insensitive threads  1704  to connect sections  1202  of the protective barrier  1200 , which do not comprise heat sensitive materials, according to an embodiment. These heat sensitive threads  1703  can be comprised of a copolyamide, a polycaprolacton, or any other suitable heat sensitive material. 
         [0048]    In an alternative embodiment, the heat insensitive threads  1704  can be made from a water soluble material such as a polyvinyl alcohol thus creating a seam that can be designed to fail when either subjected to elevated temperatures or contacted by water. The seam depicted in  FIG. 7  comprises an interlocking sewing pattern, which is designed to fail if either of the interwoven threads is broken. Therefore, if the seam shown in  FIG. 7  comprised a heat sensitive thread  1703  and a water soluble thread  1704 , such a seam would fail if it were either heated to a particular temperature or contacted by water. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  is a perspective top and side view of a heat sensitive seam  1201 , such as that shown in  FIG. 10 , covered by a dust cap  1805  according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the dust cap  1805  can prevent dust or other material from accessing the seam  1201 , which can comprise small holes or other openings that may allow these materials to pass through the protective barrier. In an embodiment, this dust cap  1805  can also be configured to fail when the seam  1201  that it is covering fails. 
         [0050]    Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.