Abstract:
A collapsible A-frame sign that can be converted into a panel that is capable of interlocking with other panels to form a physical barricade. When used alone, the device works as an A-frame sign or barrier by folding two frames hinged around a common end at the top of frames to form an A-shape allowing it to be erected in an upright position. Additionally, the device can be locked into a 180-degree angle, and joined with other identical devices to form a barricade at a height twice of the length of single frame. As a result, a group of locked devices can be used as a barricade as well as a warning signs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to provisional patent application no. 61/598,718 filed Feb. 14, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device relates to portable physical barriers designed to prevent pedestrian traffic from entering a particular area by serving as both a warning sign and a physical barrier. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Physical barriers in the form of A-frame signs and barricades are commonly used to warn people of particular dangers, such as wet floors, broken glass, wet paint, potholes, etc. as well as to prevent them from entering specific areas where such dangers may exist by serving as a physical barrier. Conventional A-frame signs often comprise two barricade frames, hinged together to form a standing device that can collapse to lie flat for easy storage and mobility. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,523 by Curbelo, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,186 by Glass, among others. These types of signs typically function both as a physical barrier and as a display for warning messages, such as “KEEP OUT” or “WET FLOOR.” Signs such as these are often quite small and can be stepped over or walked around. Therefore, the effectiveness of such signs depends heavily upon both the ability of people to notice them and their willingness to obey the instructions displayed on the signs. 
     One situation for which small A-frame signs are commonly used is during the cleaning of restrooms. In this situation, such signs are commonly used to inform people that the restroom will be temporarily closed or that the floor is wet. Although A-frame signs are typically adequate in situations such as this, they are inadequate for other types of situations. For example, if a burst pipe or other more serious problem were to cause a lengthy closure or discontinued use of the restroom, a more substantial barrier would be required. Such situations commonly require the use of fencing or much larger barricade structures, which are often not readily available on short notice or in emergency situations. Such devices are typically constructed on site from lumber, metal, plastic or other similar bulky building materials, which may not be available on-site. Even if such structures are available on site, they would require a substantial amount of storage space in which to store them. 
     Separate devices generally provide these two types of barriers, meaning that additional storage is required to house both types of devices. As discussed above, more substantial fencing or gates must be brought in from a distance or constructed on site from lumber or metal, which can require a significant amount of time and labor. Typical A-frame signs can be used as temporary barriers, but their effectiveness can be limited and present A-frame barriers do not have the capacity to be part of a more substantial fence, gate or similar barrier. 
     What is needed is a device which can function both as an A-frame sign and can be interlocked together with other such devices to form a more substantial fence or gate when needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a barricade device that can function both as an A-frame sign and can be interlocked together with other such devices to form a more substantial fence or gate when needed. 
     The above aspect can be achieved by a barricade device comprising: two member frames, both pivotably connected to each other by a hinge/locking mechanism wherein the member frames can be pivoted about the hinge/locking mechanism from an A-frame configuration to a fence configuration; the hinge/locking mechanism comprising a locking pin and hinge knuckles and a second pin; and wherein each member frame comprises a connecting pin and a female connecting pin receptor, wherein each female connecting receptor is configured to receive a pin receptor. 
     The above aspect can also be achieved by a method for using two or more barricade devices to create a fence, the method comprising: providing a first barricade device and a second barricade device, each comprising: two member frames, both pivotably connected to each other by a hinge/locking mechanism wherein the member frames can be pivoted about the hinge/locking mechanism from an A-frame configuration to a fence configuration; the hinge/locking mechanism comprising a locking pin, hinge knuckles and a second pin wherein the locking pin and the second pin are configured to be inserted through openings in the hinge knuckles, and wherein each member frame comprises at least one connecting pin and at least one female connecting pin receptor, and wherein each female connecting pin receptor is configured to receive a pin receptor; placing the first barricade into a fence configuration and locking it into the fence configuration by inserting at least one second pin of the first barricade through the hinge knuckles of the first barricade; placing the second barricade into a fence configuration and locking it into the fence configuration by inserting at least one second pin of the second barricade through the hinge knuckles of the second barricade; and connecting at least one connecting pin of the first barricade to at least one female connecting pin receptor of the second barricade. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is a front and side perspective view of a barricade device in an A-frame configuration, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a barricade device in an A-frame configuration, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a front and side perspective view of a barricade device in an A-frame configuration, wherein a removable sign section has been disconnected from the barricade device, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of a single barricade device in a fence configuration, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is a magnified view of the hinge/locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 4 , according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is a front view of a locking pin comprising the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 5A , according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a member frame comprising a barricade device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a barricade device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a front and side perspective view of a member frame comprising a barricade device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a member frame comprising a barricade device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of three barricade devices, each shown in a fence configuration, wherein the barricade devices are connected together to form a fence, according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of three barricade devices, each shown in a fence configuration, wherein the barricade devices are connected together to form a fence, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     The present barricade device can comprise two (2) member frames, hinged together at a common end by one or more hinge pins to form an A-frame configuration. This A-frame configuration can be used as a freestanding barrier or sign. 
     The two member frames can also be locked into a 180-degree angle by one or more locking mechanisms comprising the common ends of the member frames to form a fence configuration. In an embodiment, the two or more barricade device that have each been locked into a fence configuration can then be pivotably connected to other similarly configured barricade devices to form a barricade structure. In this configuration, the resulting barricade structure can be used as a substantial physical barrier to prevent people from entering a specific area. 
       FIG. 1  is a front and side perspective view of a barricade device  100  in an A-frame configuration, according to an embodiment. 
     The present barricade device  100  can act as a freestanding barrier to deter entry into a particular area or as a sign holding device that can warn people of a particular danger. 
     In an embodiment, the present barricade device  100  can comprise two (2) member frames  101  pivotably connected at a common end  120 . In an embodiment, each member frame  101  can comprise a sign frame  106 , a hinge stabilizer  103 , a connecting pin  104 , a female connecting pin receptor  105 , and a handle  107 . The sign frame  106  can be located near the middle of each member frame  101 . The connecting pin  104  can be located at the left corner of the member frame  101  and the female connecting pin receptor  105  can be located at the right corner of the free end of the member frame  101 . Note that the positions of the connecting pin  104  and the female connecting pin receptor  105  could be switched from one side to the other and the barricade device can still work successfully so long as the female connecting pin receptor  105  of one member frame  101  was always located near the connecting pin  104  of another member frame  101 . The handle  107  can be located near the top of each member frame  101 , according to an embodiment. When connected at an acute angle, the two member frames  101  can form an A-frame configuration with each other, which can allow the barricade device  100  to be freestanding without the need for further support by any external forces. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a barricade device  100  in an A-frame configuration, according to an embodiment. The barricade device  100  can comprise a handle  107  near the top of each member frame  101  allowing the barricade device  100  to be conveniently carried from one location to another location by hand. 
     This view allows the hinge/locking mechanism  210  to be viewed. In an embodiment, the hinge/locking mechanism  210  can comprise a locking pin  213  which can pass through two or more hinge knuckles  215  to create a pivotable joint. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the barrier device  100  comprises two hinge/locking mechanisms  210 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front and side perspective view of a barricade device  100  in an A-frame configuration, wherein a removable sign section  102  has been disconnected from the barricade device  100 , according to an embodiment. The removable sign  102  can be installed on or be removed from the sign frame  106  of each member frame  101 . The removable sign  102  can comprise a variety of designs and messages that can serve different purpose depending on the use of the barricade device  100 . In an embodiment, the removable sign  102  can be reversible with different messages located on each side of the removable sign  102 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of a single barricade device  100  in a fence configuration, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the barricade device  100  can comprise two hinge/locking mechanisms  210  configured to lock the two member frames  101  of the barricade device  100  into a 180-degree angle with respect to each other. As mentioned above, each hinge/locking mechanism  210  can further comprise a locking pin  213  which can be configured to pass through the hinge knuckles  215 . The locking pin  213  can be inserted into openings in the hinge knuckles  215  to create the hinge joint. Furthermore, the locking pin  213  can comprise a handle  502  allowing the locking pin to be moved laterally through the hinge knuckles  215 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a magnified view of a hinge/locking mechanism  210  shown in  FIG. 4 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the locking pin  213  can be configured not only to pass through the hinge knuckles  215  to create a hinge, but the locking pin  213  can also comprise a second pin  505 , which can also pass through the hinge knuckles and lock the member frames  101  into the fence configuration. As discussed above, the locking pin  213  can further comprise a locking pin handle  502  to facilitate lateral movement of the locking pin  213 . 
       FIG. 5B  is a front view of a locking pin  213  comprising the hinge/locking mechanism  210  shown in  FIG. 5A , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the locking pin  213  can further comprise two (2) locking rings  504 , located on a pin section  501  of the locking pin  213 . The locking rings  504  can hold the locking pin in a desired position with respect to the hinge knuckles  215  (not shown in  FIG. 5B ) and the pin section can provide the hinge pin about which the hinge knuckles  215  can rotate. The locking pin  213  can also comprise a second pin  505 , which can pass through separate openings (not shown) in the hinge knuckles  215  locking the hinge/locking mechanism  210  in position, which is the fence configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . In other words, the two member frames  101  can be locked into a 180-degree angle by inserting the second pin  505  of the locking pin  213  through a second set of hinge openings (not shown) comprising the hinge knuckles  215 . The member frames  101  can be unlocked by moving the second pin  505  of the locking pin  213  out of the second set of hinge openings (not shown) comprising the hinge knuckles  215  allowing the hinge knuckles  215  to rotate about the pin section  501  once again. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of one member frame  101  of a barricade device  100  according to an embodiment. The member frame  100  can comprise a sign frame  106 , a connecting pin  104  and a female connecting pin receptor  105 . The sign frame  106  can be located near the mid-section of the member frame  101 . The connecting pin  104  can be located at the left corner of the member frame  101  and the female connecting pin receptor  105  can be located at the right corner of the member frame  101 . The handle  107  can be located near the top of the member frame  101 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a barricade device  100  according to an embodiment. This view allows the hinge knuckles  215  to be viewed clearly. Hinge stabilizers  103  located at the common ends of the member frames  101  to be viewed in  FIG. 7 . These hinge stabilizers  103  can be configured to provide additional strength to the joint when the barricade device is in the fence configuration. 
       FIG. 8  is a front and side perspective view of a member frame  101  comprising a barricade device  100  according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, each member frame  101  can form a zero degree angle with a second member around a hinge pin  103 . This configuration can allow for the easy transportation and storage of the barrier device  100 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a member frame  101  comprising a barricade device  100  according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of three barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ), each shown in a fence configuration, wherein the barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ), are connected together to form a fence  1000 , according to an embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 10 , each of the connected barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ) are shown in the fence configuration. These barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ) have been connected by inserting the connecting pin  104  of each into the female connecting pin receptor  105  to create a barricade connecting joint  1010 . This joint is only one possible connecting joint and the scope of the invention should not be limited to this particular connecting joint. In an embodiment, each barricade connecting joint  1010  can allow the fence  1000  to be adjusted in size and shape by allowing the angle at which each barricade connects to the others to also be adjusted. Likewise, the fence  100  can be configured to stand on its own by turning each barricade device ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ) slightly with respect to the others to form an angle between two barricade devices  100  about the barricade connecting joint  1010 , wherein these angles can provide support to the fence  1000 . 
       FIG. 11  is is a top perspective view of three barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ) each shown in a fence configuration, wherein the barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ) are connected together to form a fence  1000 , according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 11 , a configuration is shown in which each barricade device ( 100   a ,  100   b  or  100   c ) has been turned slightly about its respective barricade connecting joint  1010  to form an angles between two or more barricade devices ( 100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c ). In this way, the resulting fence  1000  can be configured to stand on its own. 
     The present barricade device can be made from any suitable material including plastics, woods, metals, or any combination of these materials. Furthermore, the present barricade device can be made any suitable size or shape which allows it to function both in an A-frame configuration and in a fence configuration. 
     Although the present device 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 present device, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the present inventive concept.