Abstract:
A barrier or partition for the inside of a house having upper and lower barrier sections that are adjustable relative to each other such that the barrier as a whole is adjustable in height. The upper and lower barrier sections have paired vertically extending support members that slide relative to each other. At least one pair of vertically extending support members have a pincher or pincher mechanism that squeezes upon one of the vertically extending support members to fix the vertically extending support members in a nonsliding fashion relative to each other. The barrier includes a gate that also includes upper and lower sections and paired vertically extending support members that slide relative to each other. Further upper and lower sections, with or without gates, may be laterally attached or detached to increase or decrease a length of the barrier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a fence-like partition for an inside of a house, more particularly to such a partition having a gate, and specifically to an in-house gated partition or safety barrier that is height adjustable along the entire length of the partition. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A gate for the inside of a house may be placed at the top of a staircase, at the bottom of a staircase, at the entry way to the kitchen, at the exits to a living room, or at some other location in the house to control access to and from certain areas of the house. Some gates are big. Other gates are small. However, families change. Children grow. Dogs have puppies. Thus, over time, different gates are purchased and some gates are stored in the garage, never to be used again. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A feature of the present invention is the provision in height adjustable barrier, of a lower barrier section having a lower set of lower vertically extending support members and an upper barrier section having an upper set of upper vertically extending support members, with each of the upper vertically extending support members aligned with and slideably engaging one of the lower vertically extending support members. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of a gate in the lower and upper barrier sections. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a such a height adjustable barrier, of a release connection between at least one vertically extending support member and the lower vertically extending support member with which said at least one vertically extending support member is aligned, wherein said quick release connection fixes the lower barrier section relative to the upper barrier section such that the lower barrier section is not slideable relative to the upper barrier section until the quick release connection is released. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of a gate lower barrier section having a lower set of lower vertically extending support members and a gate upper barrier section having a upper set of upper vertically extending support members, with each of the upper vertically extending support members of the gate upper barrier section aligned with and slideably engaging one of the lower vertically extending support members of the gate lower barrier section. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of one of said lower and upper vertically extending support members including a tube and the other of said lower and upper vertically extending support members being slideable in said tube. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of a pincher or pinch mechanism between at least one pair of the pairs of lower and upper vertically extending support members that are paired with each other such that the upper and lower barrier sections are slideable vertically relative to each other when the pincher is engaged and are not slideable vertically relative to each other when the pincher is disengaged. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of a slippery sleeve between at least some of the pairs of upper and lower vertically extending support members to enhance slideability between the upper and lower barrier sections. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of another lower barrier section and another upper barrier section, with said lower barrier sections being engaged to each other, and with said upper barrier sections being engaged to each other, such that the height adjustable barrier is extendable in length or lateral direction. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a height adjustable barrier, of a lower horizontally extending support member engaging and spacing apart lower vertically extending support members, of an upper horizontally extending support member engaging and spacing apart upper vertically extending support members, and of a medial horizontally extending support member engaging one of the lower and upper barrier sections and engaging and spacing apart the vertically extending support members of such barrier section. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the barrier is adjustable in height. The height adjustable barrier may be placed at a certain height pursuant to a particular place in the house, pursuant to a particular family having infants, small children or teenagers, or pursuant to other factors. Moreover, as children or dogs grow, a new gate need not be purchased. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the gate in the height adjustable barrier is adjustable in height along with, and at the same time as, all sections of the barrier or barriers. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the height adjustable barrier is also adjustable in length to reach between relatively narrow or relatively wide doorways or points of access. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the height adjustable barrier is quickly, readily and easily adjustable in height. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the height adjustable barrier is safe and sturdy whether the barrier is in a lowered position or a raised position. One feature contributing to this advantage is the relatively long or relatively elongated overlap between the upper and lower vertically extending support members when the barrier is in the raised position. Another feature contributing to this advantage is the provision of a sleeve between the upper and vertically extending support members that permits a true and tight fit between the upper and lower vertically extending support members while permitting an easy and relatively slippery sliding between the upper and lower vertically extending support members. Another feature contributing to this advantage is the medial horizontally extending support member disposed between the upper and lower horizontally extending support members. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the height adjustable barrier is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the height adjustable barrier may be set at an infinite number of heights. The vertically extending support members are slideable relative to each other and are thus incrementally adjustable relative to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present gated height adjustable barrier. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective, partial view of the gated height adjustable barrier of  FIG. 1 , showing raised and lowered positions of the upper barrier section. 
         FIG. 3  is a detail, side, partially section view, at lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , of a quick release connection or pincher for one pair of vertically extending support members of the height adjustable barrier of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective, detail view of an end portion of the gated height adjustable barrier of  FIG. 1  engaging a track mounted on a door frame or frame of a point of access. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail, side, partially section view, at lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 , of the upper end portion of the barrier of  FIG. 1  and further shows how the barrier can engage relatively narrow points of access or relatively wide points of access. 
         FIG. 6  is a side, partial view of the gated height adjustable barrier of  FIG. 1  that further includes a barrier extension having upper, lower, and medial horizontally extending support members and upper and lower vertically extending support members. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail, side, partially section view, at lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 , showing a slippery sleeve that permits easy sliding of the upper and lower vertically extending support members and that contributes to the stability of the upper and lower vertically extending support members relative to each other. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a gated height adjustable barrier  12 . Barrier  12  includes a lower barrier section  16  and an upper barrier section  18 . Barrier  12  includes a height direction, a length direction, and a width direction, with all such directions being normal to each of the other two directions. 
     Lower barrier section  16  includes a lower horizontally extending support member  20 . Member  20  is a metal tube, generally rectangular in section. Member  20  includes, at each of its end portions, a through hole  21  extending through member  20  in the width direction. As shown in  FIG. 6 , member  20  can receive a pin connector  22  for engaging a height adjustable barrier  24  that does not include a gate. Member  20  further includes at and centered in each of its end faces, a threaded opening extending in the length direction for engaging a horizontally adjustable extension  25 . 
     Lower barrier section  16  further includes a set of lower vertically extending support members  26  engaged to, such as by welding, the lower horizontally extending support member  20 . Each of the lower vertically extending support members  26  engage therein an upper vertically extending support member  27  depending from the upper barrier section  18 . 
     Lower vertically extending support member  26  is tubular and includes an upper open end  28 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Two of the lower vertically extending support members  26  confront opposite sides of a swingable gate  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , these two members  26  are indicated by reference numbers  32 ,  34  and can be referred to as lower vertically extending base support members  32 ,  34 . These base support members  32 ,  34  are rectangular in section and are relatively large, and are about the size of the lower horizontally extending support member  20 . Two other of the lower vertically extending support members  26  are indicated by reference numbers  36 ,  38  and can be referred to as lower vertically extending end support members  36 ,  38 . End support members  36 ,  38  are cylindrical in shape. 
     Lower barrier section  16  further includes a lower gate barrier section  40  having a lower horizontally extending gate support member  42 , and a set of lower vertically extending support members  26 , of which two are gate end support members  44 ,  46  and of which the remaining four are inner cylindrical support members  48 . Support members  44 ,  46  are generally square in section. Gate end support member  44  has a downwardly projecting tab  50 , shown in  FIG. 6 , that confronts and makes contact with a side face of the lower horizontally extending support member  20  to stop the gate  30  from swinging fully through a plane of the barrier  12 . Gate end support member  46  is pivotally joined along a vertical axis at a lower end to horizontally extending support member  20  such that gate  30  swings on such vertical axis defined generally by gate end support member  46 . 
     Lower barrier section  16  further includes first, second and third medial horizontally extending support members  52 ,  54 ,  56 . First and second end members  52 ,  54  are disposed at the ends of the lower barrier section  16  and third member  56  is disposed therebetween in the gate  30 . Support members  52 ,  54 ,  56  are disposed in line or on a straight line with each other. Each of the members  52 ,  54 ,  56  fixedly engages the upper ends or end portions of their respective lower vertically extending support members  26  and spaces such members  26  apart from each other such that members  26  remain parallel to each other. Members  52 ,  54 ,  56  take the shape of an inverted U in section and include bracing  58 ,  60 , shown in  FIG. 7 . Bracing  58  extends widthwise or from side face to side face of the members  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Bracing  60  extends lengthwise such as between bracing members  58  and between bracing  58  and a cylindrical receptor  62  that frictionally engages the upper end or upper end portion of lower vertically extending support member  26 . Members  52 ,  54 ,  56  are one-piece and integral with bracing  58 , bracing  60  and cylindrical receptors  62 . 
     Upper barrier section  18  includes first, second and third upper horizontally extending support members  64 ,  66 ,  68 . Members  64 ,  66 ,  68  are preferably aligned with each other in a straight line. Members  66  and  68 , tied together with extension  100 , are raised and lowered together when pinchers  86  are operated. Member  64  is raised and lowered independently of members  66  and  68 , regardless of whether latch  102  is engaged or disengaged. 
     Each of the upper vertically extending support members  27  is now described more particularly. Members  64  and  66  are disposed on outer ends of the barrier  12  and have outer cylindrical tubes  70 ,  72  depending therefrom. Tubes  70 ,  72  slide vertically inside of respective tubes  36 ,  38  of lower barrier section  16 . Members  64 ,  66  further have inner gate confronting tubes  74 ,  76  depending therefrom. Tubes  74 ,  76  are rectangular in section and slide vertically inside of respective tubes  32 ,  34  of lower barrier section  16 . Member  68  have outer tubes  78 ,  80  depending therefrom. Tubes  78 ,  80  are generally square in section and slide vertically inside of respective tubes  44  and  46 . Member  68  further includes a set of four cylindrical tubes  82  depending therefrom. Tubes  82  slide vertically inside of tubes  48 . Tubes  78 ,  80 ,  82  can be referred to as gate vertically extending support members. 
     In other words, upper barrier section  18  includes a set of upper vertically extending support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  engaged to, such as by welding, their respective upper horizontally extending support members  64 ,  66 ,  68 . These upper vertically extending support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  are generally referred to as upper vertically extending support members  27 . The lower vertically extending support members  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are generally referred to as lower vertically extending support members  26 . 
     Each of the upper and lower vertically extending support members  26 ,  27  is a shaft in the nature of a tube or rod and is preferably a tube to minimize barrier weight. Upper vertically extending support members  27  slideably engage their respective lower vertically extending support members  26  so as to slideably engage the lower barrier section  16  to the upper barrier section  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , some of the upper open ends  28  of lower vertically extending support members  26  include an insert or sleeve  84  for engaging its respective upper vertically extending support members  27 . Sleeve  84  may include a relatively wide annular integral portion that rests upon the top of vertically extending support member  26  and a relatively narrow annular integral portion that extends in an elongated fashion below the relatively wide annular integral portion. Sleeve  84  spaces the paired lower and upper vertically extending support members  26  and  27  from each other such that the members  26  and  27  do not rub against one another. The vertically running opening in sleeve  84  has a surface that is manufactured or coated or that has a composition to be slippery such that members  26  and  27  are readily slideable relative to each other. Sleeve  84  is fixed within the open end  28  in a rigid or friction fit fashion such that sleeve  84  does not pop or ride out of open end  28  when the members  26  and  27  slide relative to each other. 
     Sleeve  84  is not utilized where a pincher  86  is used. As shown in  FIG. 3 , pincher  86  includes a cylindrical first portion  88  that frictionally fits upon an upper end of one of the lower vertically extending support members  26 , namely, tubes  36 ,  72  and one of the tubes  48 . Each of these vertically extending support members  36 ,  72 ,  48  extends a short way beyond the upper face of its respective medial horizontal support member  52 ,  54 ,  56  to permit such cylindrical portion  88  to be capped upon its upper end. At this point, it should be noted that the upper ends of the other lower vertically extending support members  26  terminate within the medial horizontal support member  52 ,  54 ,  56 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Cylindrical first portion  88  includes, in the nature of sleeve  84 , a vertically extending through opening that receives upper vertically extending support member  27  in a slippery sliding fashion. 
     Pincher  86  further has a threaded second portion  90  extending upwardly and integrally from cylindrical first portion  88 . Pincher  86  further includes a slotted tapered third portion  92  extending upwardly and integrally from threaded second portion  90 . Third portion  92  includes a set of four vertically extending slots  94  disposed at ninety degrees relative to each other. Pincher  86  further includes a pinching collar  96  rotatably mounted on vertically extending support member  27 . Pinching collar  96  has inner threads that engaged threaded second portion  90  and further includes a tapered inner surface that circumferentially engages tapered slotted portion  92  to reduce the width of slots  94  and thus the diameter of portion  92  such that portion  92  circumferentially grabs and frictionally holds member  27  relative to member  26 . The tapered features of pinching collar  96  and third portion  92  permit a fixing of members  26  and  27  with each other to a relatively greater or lesser degree in an incremental manner such that, for example, the height of the upper barrier section  18  can be temporarily set with a medium degree of drag produced by slotted portion  92 . Then, when the desired height is ascertained, the pinching collar  96  is fully turned such that slotted portion  92  produces a relatively high amount of drag to a point where the upper and lower barrier sections  16 ,  18  are locked relative to each other. 
     Pincher  86  controls the length of insertion of member  27  into member  26 . Pincher  86  and its portions  88 ,  90 ,  92  include a through opening that functions in the nature of sleeve  84 . Pinching collar  96  and second portion  90  include interacting helical threads. Slot  94  can be referred to as a generally axially extending slot. Slot  94  permits width-wise expansion and contraction or radial expansion and contraction or diametrical expansion and contraction of the slotted portion  92 . Portion  92  is contracted when pinching collar  96  is threaded onto portion  90 . The inner through opening of pinching collar  96  is tapered so as to decrease in radius from a lower portion to an upper portion. With such a tapering, portion  92  is incrementally contracted or squeezed to as to incrementally apply greater and greater pressure upon upper vertically extending support member  27  when pinching collar  96  is screwed onto portion  90 . When pinching collar  96  is screwed off portion  90 , portion  92  incrementally expands and the engagement between portion  92  and vertically extending support member  27  is loosened such that the lower and upper vertically extending support members  26  and  27  slide relatively freely relative to each other. Slot  94  is open ended and runs out of an upper end of portion  92 . 
     Barrier  12  includes the gate  30 . Gate  30  includes a portion of the lower barrier section  16  and a portion of the upper barrier section  18 . More specifically, gate  30  includes the lower horizontally extending gate support member  42 , the upper horizontally extending support member  68 , gate end vertically extending support member  44 , gate end vertically extending support member  46 , vertically extending square gate tubes  78  and  80  that slide vertically in support members  44  and  46  respectively, medial horizontally extending support member  56 , four gate inner cylindrical and tubular support members  48 , four inner cylindrical tubes  82  sliding vertically in the support members  48 , and one or more pinchers  86 . 
     Gate  30  is pivotally engaged via the lower horizontally extending gate support member  42  to the lower horizontally extending support member  20  at a location  98  near the juncture of the support member  42  and gate end support member  46 . Gate  30  is pivotally engaged via upper horizontally extending support member  68  to an extension or strip  100  protruding from upper horizontally extending support member  66 . Swinging of the gate  30  extends to one side of the barrier  12  only. Swinging of the gate  30  to the other side is prevented by tab  50  that confronts a side of the lower horizontally extending support member  20 . In other words, the barrier  12  generally defines a plane and the gate  30  swings out of the plane to one side of the plane, and back into the plane, but not to the other side of the plane, since the gate  30  is restricted by the tab  50  hitting the side of the lower horizontally extending support member  20 . 
     Gate  30  further includes a latch  102  having generally four parts. Latch  102  includes a body  104  that is rigidly secured to upper horizontally extending support member  68 , vertically extending square tube  78  and its adjacent cylindrical tube  82 . Latch  102  further includes a lock  106  that slidingly engages upper horizontally support member  68 . Latch  102  further includes a handle arm  108  that pivotally engages the body  104 . The latch  102  further includes a generally U-shaped piece  110  that captures both sides of a portion of vertically extending support member  74  and a portion of horizontally extending support member  64 . U-shaped piece  110  slidingly engages the body  104  and is drawn to and away from members  64 ,  74  by handle arm  108  that includes tabs that ride in vertically oriented slots formed in U-shaped piece  110 . It can be appreciated that U-shaped piece  110  has a length slightly longer on one side than an opposite side such that U-shaped piece  110 , even when fully drawn in by handle arm  108 , remains in a confronting position with one side of member  64  and one side of member  74  (which sides are coplanar) such that U-shaped piece  110  performs an upper confronting function in the manner (and on the same side of the barrier  12 ) that tab  50  performs a lower confronting function. Lock  106  via an upper ridge normally prevents a swinging upwardly of handle arm  108 . To operate handle arm  108 , lock  106  is slid away from body  104  and then the handle arm  108  can be swung upwardly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , barrier  12  further includes a guide track or slide  112  and a rider or upper extension  114  extending from both of the ends  115  of horizontally extending support members  64 ,  66 . Rider or extension  114  includes a threaded shaft  116  having rigidly affixed thereto a rider head or slide head or disk  118  such that turning of the head  118  turns the shaft  116 . Shaft  116  is threadingly engaged with an opening in the ends  115  of the horizontally extending support members  64 ,  66  such that the head  118  can be set at greater or lesser distances from the ends of the horizontally extending support members  64 ,  66 . Shaft  116  turns on an axis common with the axis of the horizontally extending support members  64 ,  66 . Rider  114  further includes a relatively large hand manipulated locking nut  120  that threadingly engages the shaft  116 . Nut  120 , when turned and one face is set against end  115 , or when turned and the other face is set against track  112 , rigidly fixes shaft  116  from being turned and thereby sets the head  118  at a given distance from end  115 . 
     Track  112  is mounted on a wall or other vertical surface  122  via one or more pin connectors  124 . Track  112  is generally C-shaped and includes a slot  126  for reception of the shaft  116 . Slot  126  has a width greater than or equal to the diameter of the shaft  116  and less than the diameter of the head  118  so as to retain the head  118  in the track or guide member  112  and, at the same time, permit smooth vertical sliding of the head  118  in the track  112 . Track  112  and slot  126  have an open upper end  128 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , barrier  12  further includes the horizontally adjustable lower extension  25 . This can also be referred to as a pressurizing extension  25 . Extension  25  includes the structure shown in  FIG. 5 . In other words, extension  25  includes the threaded shaft  116  having rigidly affixed thereto a head or disk  118  such that turning of the head  118  turns the shaft  116 . Shaft  116  is threadingly engaged with an opening in ends of the lower horizontally extending support member  20  such that the head  118  can be set at greater or lesser distances from the ends of the lower horizontally extending support member  20 . Shaft  116  turns on an axis common with the axis of the lower horizontally extending support member  25 . Extension  25  further includes the relatively large hand manipulated locking nut  120  that threadingly engages the shaft  116 . Nut  120  is first turned against the inner face of head  118  such that the head  118  can be turned or screwed inwardly or outwardly. By turning head  118  such that the length of extension  25  is extended, lower horizontal support member  20  can be pressure mounted between two walls  112  when both heads  118  are turned into and against both walls  112 . The relatively large roughened circumference of nut  120  allows for a relatively easy fixing, under pressure, of the heads  118  and hence the lower portion of the barrier  12  between two vertical surfaces  112 . Then, if desired, the nut  120  can be turned back the other way to fix the other face of the nut  120  against the end of the lower horizontal support member  20  to lock the shaft  116  or fix the shaft  116  from turning. 
     It should be noted that, if desired, the lower barrier section  16  may be engaged to vertical surface  122  with a guide track or slide  112  and a rider or upper extension  114 . 
     The barrier extension  24  is shown in  FIG. 6 . This barrier extension  24  includes a lower horizontally extending support member  132 , a medial horizontally extending support member  134 , and a set of three vertically extending support members or vertically running cylindrical tubes  136  fixed between the members  132 ,  134 . Barrier extension  24  further includes an upper horizontally extending support member  138  with a set of three vertically extending support members or vertically running cylindrical tubes  140  depending therefrom. Tubes  140  slide vertically in tubes  136 . A pincher  86  is engaged between the pair of middle tubes  136 ,  140  and the other two pairs of tubes  136 ,  140  include the sleeve  84 . Barrier extension  24  further includes a lower receptor  142  and an upper receptor  144  extending respectively from the lower and upper horizontally support members  132 ,  138 . Receptors  142 ,  144  are C-shaped and engage the upper and side faces of end portions of the lower and upper horizontally extending support members  20  and  64  (or  66 ) of main barrier  12  with pin connectors  22 . 
       FIG. 6  further shows that barrier  12  can include upper and lower pressurizing extensions  25  on each of the upper and lower horizontally extending support members  138 ,  132  (or on members  64  and  20 , or on members  66  and  20 ). That is, the track or guide member  112  need not be included such that barrier  12  utilizes pressurizing extensions  25  at four locations, with two pressurizing extensions  25  disposed on each of the sides (or ends) of the barrier  12 , where one each side (or end) each of a lower and upper pressurizing extension  25  is used. This is in contrast to the preferred embodiment, where a pair of pressurizing extensions  25  are used for a lower engagement of the lower barrier section  16  to a pair of vertical surfaces  122  and where a pair of track  112  and rider  114  combinations are used for an upper engagement of the upper barrier section  18  to a pair of vertical surfaces  122 . 
     In operation, tracks  112  are fixed to opposing vertical surfaces  122 . Then shafts  116  are turned in or out to increase or decrease an effective length (or width) of barrier  12  such that the respective heads  118  can drop into respective open ends  128 . Then locking nuts  120  are fixed to either the track  112  or end  115  to fix the shafts  116  at the appropriate lengths. Then, or prior to the time of adjusting the length of shafts  116 , the lower horizontal extensions  25  are turned out so as to fix the lower barrier section  16  securely in place between the opposing vertical surfaces  122 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the pinchers  86  are loosened to permit sliding of the upper barrier section  18  relative to the lower barrier section  16 . During this sliding, the heads  18  ride up and down in the tracks  112 . At the desired height, the pinchers  86  are tightened. The pinchers  86  are tightened when the upper barrier section  18  is in a raised position, such as shown in  FIG. 2  in phantom, when the upper barrier section  18  is in a lowered position, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , and when the upper barrier section  18  is at any position between the shown raised and lowered positions. Gate  30  is openable and closeable when the upper barrier section  18  is in any raised, lowered, or in-between position. 
     It should be noted that gate  30  includes a latching end or support member  44  that swings in an arc. Upper vertically extending support member  32  of the upper barrier section  18  opposes the latching end  44 . The height adjustable barrier  12  includes an operating configuration, such as between vertical surfaces  122 , and a storable configuration such as where the barrier  12  is laid flat and is not engaged between any two vertical surfaces  122 . The latching end  44  is spaced a given distance from the upper vertically extending support member  32  in each of the operating and storable configurations such that the gate  30  is not a pressure gate. A pressure gate may be a pressure gate where a barrier section, with which a gate barrier section swings into and out of engagement, has vertically extending support members slightly off parallel with vertically extending support members of the gate barrier section. Here, upper horizontally extending support member  64 , medial horizontally extending support member  52 , lower horizontally extending support member  20 , vertically extending support members  32 ,  36 ,  70 , and  74  can be referred to an end barrier section. Such end barrier section has vertically extending support members  26 ,  27  that remain at all times parallel to the vertically extending support members  26 ,  27  of the gate barrier section  30  whether the barrier section  12  is fixed between two vertical surfaces  122  in an operating configuration or whether the barrier section  12  is in a stored configuration and laid flat. 
     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.