Patent Publication Number: US-2016230448-A1

Title: Removable Fall Prevention Device

Description:
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention is related to a fence structure, in particular to a configurable barrier assembly that applies to all kinds of places for prevent falling, such as balcony, patio, and window frame, and that allow rapid installation and uninstallation, so as to prevent children from accidentally falling out from a building, to keep air circulation of indoor spaces, and to avoid influences on the view. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     Accidents of children falling out from building happen all over the world because most families live in high-rise buildings and most apartments have multiple windows or balconies. As a result, young children may accidentally fall as they climb over the windows or balconies. In order to prevent such accident, a solution is to add bars, grille, or affixed cable on the outer side of the windows, so as to prevent young children from falling out the building as they climb over the window. 
     However, bars at the outer sides of the windows and balcony can block people from evacuation and block the view. Although grille can be opened for evacuation, it will also block the view. In addition the grille will form a barrier cage that people cannot fully enjoy the beautiful view and will also destroy the aesthetics and ventilation of the building. Besides, concealing bars are not commonly used because they are not movable and need to be cut with special tools for evacuation when there is a fire. 
     Further, affixed bar shape, grid shape, or numeral steel cables are considered as the common anti-falling devices. Once they are installed, they cannot be removed easily. In case of fire or other accidents, the anti-falling devices become obstacle for evacuation. Meanwhile, the affixed installation not only blocks the view but also provides an obstacle to block the user to clean the screen and window. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides a way of creating a movable anti-falling device, which simplifies the structural configuration, is easy for installation, is rapidly removable or dissemble when it becomes unnecessary or in case of fire, is free from influencing evacuation or view, so as to allow the user to freely decide to remove the anti-falling device easily when there is no concern of falling (e.g. when the window is closed), so as to enhance the overall practicability of the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a configurable barrier assembly as an anti-falling device to be installed at various places that need to prevent falling, such as top and bottom sides or left and right sides of a balcony, patio, or window frame, rapidly based on the needs, and to be rapidly removed when it becomes unwanted, which not only achieves the purpose of anti-falling, but also keeps from influencing the evacuation and view, so as to have a better overall practicability. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a configurable barrier assembly to be used for places that need to prevent falling, such as top and bottom sides or left and right sides of a window frame. The configurable barrier assembly includes a pair of anchored frames, a plurality of first movable sliders, a plurality of second movable sliders, and a plurality of anti-falling cords. The anchored frames are respectively set on both of the top and bottom sides or both of the left and right sides. One end of the anti-falling cord is attached on the first movable slider, while the other end is attached on the second movable slider. The first movable sliders are slidably aligned at a side of one of the anchored frames, while the second movable sliders are sliding aligned at a side of the other anchored frame. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the anchored frames are integrally set on the left and right sides of a window frame. The first movable slider and the second movable slider are respectively are formed in cylindrical shape with a channel therewithin. A side of each of the first movable slider and the second movable slider has a perforation to communicate with the channel. An end of the anti-falling cord passes through the perforation of the first movable slider and is secured within the channel of the first movable slider. Then, the other end of the anti-falling cord passes through the perforation of the second movable slider and is secured within the channel of the second movable slider. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the anchored frame has an aligning slot, wherein each of the first movable slider and the second movable slider has a protruding structure to slidably engage with the aligning slot of the anchored frame to stack the first movable sliders at one anchored frame and to stack the second movable slider at another anchored frame. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the anchored frames are detachable that the anchored frames are detachably coupled at the place or opening that needs anti-falling, such as a window frame. The anchored frame are respectively installed on the place that needs anti-falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention also provides a configurable barrier assembly to be used for installing on the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame. Each of the anchored frames comprises at least one anchored rack. The anchored racks are respectively set on both of the top and bottom sides or both of the left and right sides of the window frame. One end of the anti-falling cord is attached on the first movable slider, while the other end is attached on the second movable slider. The first movable sliders slidably sleeve on and stacked at a side of one of the anchored racks, while the second movable sliders slidably sleeve on and stacked at a side of the other anchored rack. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the anchored racks are integrally set on the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of the window frame. The anchored rack is a protruding structure, wherein each of the first movable sliders and the second movable sliders has a slot structure to slidably engage with the protruding structure of the anchored rack. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of anchored racks are provided to couple at the place that needs anti-falling, such as a window frame, are detachable. The anchored racks are formed in pair at two sides of the window frame and are installed on the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of the window frame. 
     Comparing to the art, the configurable barrier assembly of the present invention is mainly to be installed into different places that needs to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame of a balcony, patio, or window. An end of the anti-falling cord is attached on the first movable slider, while the other end is attached on the second movable slider. Then, the first movable slider and the second movable slider are formed in pair and are slid and stacked at the anchored frames respectively, so that a user may decide the height of the configurable barrier assembly by himself via a desired numbers of anti-falling cords and the distance between two adjacent cords, so as to achieve the best anti-falling feature. Also, when it becomes unneeded (e.g. when the window is closed), it allows the first movable sliders and the second movable sliders to be selectively removed from the anchored frames in a tool-less manner, so as not to influence the evacuation or view. It makes the users to use the configurable barrier assembly freely, so as to enhance the overall practicability thereof. 
     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view a configurable barrier assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the configurable barrier assembly according to the above first preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the configurable barrier assembly according to the above first preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the configurable barrier assembly according to a second preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the configurable barrier assembly according to the above second preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the configurable barrier assembly according to a third preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the configurable barrier assembly according to the above third preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded top view of a configurable barrier assembly according to a fourth preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the configurable barrier assembly according to the above fourth preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded top view of a configurable barrier assembly according to a fifth preferred embodiment the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the configurable barrier assembly according to the above fifth preferred embodiment the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The following describes implementations of the present invention through specific embodiments, so that those who skill in the art can easily understand additional advantages and functions of the present invention through the disclosed contents of the present specification. 
     The following describes embodiments of the present invention with references of the figures. However, it is worth to mention that these figures are simplified perspective drawings that only apply perspectives for describing basic elements of the present invention, so the figures only demonstrate structures that relate to the present invention rather than illustrate according to actual quantities, shapes, and sizes of the elements for implementations. Formations, quantities, and ratios for each of the elements in actual implementation shall not be limited according to what have shown in the figures, but may be modified based on the needs of actual designs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a configurable barrier assembly  1  according to a first preferred embodiment the present invention is illustrated, wherein the configurable barrier assembly of the present invention, serving as an anti-falling device, can be installed into any place having an opening needed to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame  2  of a balcony, patio, or window. The configurable barrier assembly  1  comprises a pair of anchored frames  10 , a plurality of first movable sliders  11 , a plurality of second movable sliders  12 , and a plurality of anti-falling cords  13 . In one embodiment, the anchored frames  10  are respectively attached to the left and right sides of the window frame  2 . The first movable sliders  11  are aligned at an inner side of one of the anchored frames  10 . The second movable sliders  12  are corresponding to the first movable sliders  11  to be aligned at the inner side of another anchored frame  10 . Two ends of each of the anti-falling cords  13  are extended between the first movable slider  11  and the second movable slider  12  respectively, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the above first embodiment, the anchored frames  10  can be integrally set on the left and right sides of the window frame  2 , wherein each of the anchored frames  10  has an arch-shaped aligning slot  101  formed at the inner side thereof. The first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12  are formed in cylindrical shape, wherein each of the first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12  has a channel  111  and  121  therein. Each of the channels  111  and  121  has a perforation on a side thereof. One end of the anti-falling cord  13  passes through the perforation of the first movable slider  11  and secured within the channel  111  of the first movable slider  11 . Then, the other end of the anti-falling cord  13  passes through the perforation of the second movable slider  12  and secured within of the channel  121  of the second movable slider  12 , such that the anti-falling cord  13  is coupled between the first movable slider  11  and the second movable slider  12  in a tension manner, as shown in  FIG. 3 . It is appreciated that the anchored frames  10  may also be attached on the top and bottom sides of the window frame  2  in other embodiments, which shall not be limited in the above mentioned left and right sides. 
     Based on the above structures, a user may freely decide the quantities of the first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12 . He or she can put an applicable quantity of the first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12  into the anchored frames  10  at the two inner sides according to his/her needs to extend the anti-falling cords  13  between the inner sides of the anchored frames  10  while the first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12  are hidden within the aligning slots  101  of the anchored frames  10 . It is worth mentioning that inner sides of the anchored frames  10  are facing toward each other. As the first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12  are slid into the aligning slots  101  one after one to stack the first movable sliders  11  and to stack the second movable sliders  12 , the window with a plurality of anti-falling cords  13  extended paralllely will be formed as shown in  FIG. 2 , so as to achieve the anti-falling feature. 
     As a user believes that there is no concern about falling (e.g. when the window is locked), he/she can selectively take out the first movable sliders  11  and the second movable sliders  12  respectively from the anchored frames  10 , so as to rapidly and easily remove the anti-falling device to not influence the evacuation and the view, which is more convenient to use. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a configurable barrier assembly  1  of a second embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment, wherein the configurable barrier assembly  1  of the present invention, serving as an anti-falling device, can be installed into any place having an opening needed to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame  2  of a balcony, patio, or window. The configurable barrier assembly  1  comprises a pair of anchored frames  10 ′, a plurality of first movable sliders  11 ′, a plurality of second movable sliders  12 ′, and a plurality of anti-falling cords  13 . The anchored frames  10 ′ are respectively attached on the left and right sides of the window frame  2 . The first movable sliders  11 ′ are aligned inside one of the anchored frames  10 ′ and are slidably at one side thereof. The second movable sliders  12 ′ are corresponding to the first movable sliders  11 ′ to be aligned inside the other anchored frame  10 ′ and are slidable at one side thereof. Two ends of the anti-falling cord  13  are extended between the first movable slider  11 ′ and the second movable slider  12 ′, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the above second embodiment, the anchored frame  10 ′ can be integrally set on the left and right sides of the window frame  2 , wherein each of the anchored frame  10 ′ has a U-shaped aligning slot  101 ′. Each of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ has a protruding portion coupled to the end of the anti-falling cord  13 , wherein the first movable sliders  11 ′ are slidably stacked at the aligning slots  101 ′ of one of the anchored frames  10 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ are slidably stacked at the aligning slots  101 ′ of the other anchored frame  10 ′. It is appreciated that the anchored frames  10 ′ may also be set on the top and bottom sides of the window frame  2  in other embodiments, which shall not be limited as the above. 
     Based on the above structures, a user may freely decide the quantities of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′. He or she can put an applicable quantity of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ into the anchored frames  10 ′ at the two inner sides according to his/her needs to extend the anti-falling cords  13  between two interior sides of the anchored frames  10 ′ while the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ are hidden within the aligning slots  101 ′ of the anchored frames  10 ′. It is worth mentioning that the interior sides of the anchored frames  10  are facing toward the interior of the building with respect to the installation the window  2 . As the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ are slid into the aligning slots  101 ′ one after one to stack the first movable sliders  11 ′ and to stack the second movable sliders  12 ′, a window with a plurality of anti-falling cords  13  extended paralllely will be formed as shown in  FIG. 5 , so as to achieve the anti-falling feature. 
     As a user believes that there is no concern about falling (e.g. when the window is locked), he/she can selectively take out one or more of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and one or more of the second movable sliders  12 ′ respectively from the anchored frames  10 ′, so as to rapidly and easily remove the anti-falling device to not influence the evacuation and the view, which is more convenient to use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a configurable barrier assembly  1  of a third embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the second embodiment, wherein the configurable barrier assembly  1  of the present invention, serving as an anti-falling device, can be installed into any place having an opening needed to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame  2  of a balcony, patio, or window. The configurable barrier assembly  1  comprises the anchored frames  10 ′, the first movable sliders  11 ′, the second movable sliders  12 ′, and the anti-falling cords  13 . The first movable sliders  11 ′ are aligned inside one of the anchored frames  10 ′ and are slidable at one side thereof. The second movable sliders  12 ′ are corresponding to the first movable sliders  11 ′ to be aligned inside the other anchored frame  10 ′ and are slidable at one side thereof. Two ends of the anti-falling cord  13  are extended between the first movable slider  11 ′ and the second movable slider  12 ′. This embodiment is a modification of the above second embodiment that the anchored frames  10 ′ are detachably coupled to the window frame  2 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to selectively configure the orientation of each of the anchored frames  10 ′, wherein the anchored frames  10 ′ are respectively installed (e.g. to be adhered or locked to install) at the places need to prevent falling, such as the left and right sides of a window frame  2 . 
     Also, based on the above structures, a user may freely decide the quantities of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′. He or she can put an applicable quantity of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ into the anchored frames  10 ′ of the two inner sides according to his/her needs to extend the anti-falling cords  13  between two inner sides of the anchored frames  10 ′ while the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ are hidden within the aligning slots  101 ′ of the anchored frames  10 ′. It is worth mentioning that the inner sides of the anchored frames  10  are facing toward each other. As the first movable sliders  11 ′ and the second movable sliders  12 ′ are slid into the aligning slots  101 ′ one after one to stack the first movable sliders  11 ′ and to stack the second movable sliders  12 ′, a window with a plurality of anti-falling cords  13  extended paralllely will be formed as shown in  FIG. 7 , so as to achieve the anti-falling feature. Besides, when the user believes that there is no concern about falling (e.g. when the window is locked), he/she can selectively take out one or more of the first movable sliders  11 ′ and one or more of the second movable sliders  12 ′ from the anchored frames  10 ′, so as to rapidly and easily remove the anti-falling device to not influence the evacuation and the view, which is more convenient to use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a configurable barrier assembly  1  of a fourth embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first to third embodiments, wherein the configurable barrier assembly  1  of the present invention, serving as an anti-falling device, can be installed into any place having an opening needed to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame  2  of a balcony, patio, or window. The configurable barrier assembly  1  comprises two anchored frames  10 ″, a plurality of C-shaped first movable sliders  11 ″, a plurality of C-shaped second movable sliders  12 ″, and a plurality of anti-falling cords  13 , wherein each of the anchored frames  10 ″ forms a T-shaped anchored rack. The anchored frames  10 ′ are respectively attached on the left and right sides of the window frame  2 . The first movable sliders  11 ″ slidably sleeve on one of the anchored racks  10 ″. The second movable sliders  12 ″ are corresponding to the first movable sliders  11 ″ to slidably sleeve on the other anchored rack  10 ″. Two ends of the anti-falling cord  13  are extended between the first movable slider  11 ″ and the second movable slider  12 ″. 
     In the above fourth embodiment, the anchored racks  10 ″ are integrally set on the left and right sides of the window frame  2 . In this fourth embodiment, each of the anchored rack  10 ″ has a protruding structure protruded from the corresponding side of the window frame  2 , wherein the anchored rack  10 ″ has an elongated aligning protruding portion  101 ″. Each of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″ has a slot structure to form a sliding slot and are slidably stacked on the aligning protruding portions  101 ″ of the anchored racks  10 ″ respectively. It is appreciated that the anchored racks  10 ″ are not limited in the structures of being integrated on the window frame  2 . In other embodiments, the anchored racks  10 ″ may also have detachable structures to detachably couple to the window frame  2 , which are able to then be installed on the window frame  2  through adhering, locking, or other attaching methods. 
     Based on the above structures, a user may freely decide the quantities of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″. He or she can sleeve an applicable quantity of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″ onto of the anchored racks  10 ″ according to his/her needs to extend the anti-falling cords  13  between two inner sides of the anchored racks  10 ″. It is worth mentioning that the inner sides of the anchored racks  10 ″ are facing toward each other. As the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″ are slid to engage with the aligning protruding portions  101 ″ of the anchored racks  10 ″ one after one to stack the first movable sliders  11 ″ and to stack the second movable sliders  12 ″, a window with a plurality of anti-falling cords  13  extended paralllely will be formed, so as to achieve the anti-falling feature. 
     As a user believes that there is no concern about falling (e.g. when the window is locked), he/she can selectively take out one or more the first movable sliders  11 ″ and one or more of the second movable sliders  12 ″ respectively from the anchored frames  10 ″, so as to rapidly and easily remove the anti-falling device to not influence the evacuation and the view, which is therefore more convenient to use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a configurable barrier assembly  1  of a fifth embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the fourth embodiment, wherein the configurable barrier assembly  1  of the present invention, serving as an anti-falling device, can be installed into any place having an opening needed to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame  2  of a balcony, patio, or window. The configurable barrier assembly  1 , like the above third embodiment, a plurality of anchored frames  10 ″, a plurality of C-shaped first movable sliders  11 ″, a plurality of C-shaped second movable sliders  12 ″, and a plurality of anti-falling cords  13 , wherein each of the anchored frames  10 ″ comprises a plurality of screw-shaped anchored racks spacedly coupled at the side of the window frame. 
     The above fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the anchored racks  10 ″ are dome shaped tenon structures, wherein each of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable slider  12 ″ has a dome shaped slot corresponding to the tenon structure of each of the anchored racks  10 ″ which also has a dome shaped head portion  101 ″ as well. In other words, the screw-shaped anchored rack  10 ″ is affixed to the corresponding side of the window  2  at a position that the dome shaped head portion  101 ″ of the screw-shaped anchored rack  10 ″ is protruded from the corresponding side of the window  2 . Therefore, a user may also freely decide the quantities of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″. He or she can sleeve an applicable quantity of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″ onto the anchored racks  10 ″ according to his/her needs to extend the anti-falling cords  13  between two inner sides of the anchored racks  10 ″. It is worth mentioning that the inner sides of the anchored racks  10 ″ are facing toward each other. As the first movable sliders  11 ″ and the second movable sliders  12 ″ are slid to engage with the dome shaped head portion  101 ″ of the anchored racks  10 ″ one after one to stack the first movable sliders  11 ″ and to stack the second movable sliders  12 ″, a window with a plurality of anti-falling cords  13  extended paralllely will be formed, so as to achieve a good anti-falling effect. 
     Likewise, as a user believes that there is no concern about falling (e.g. when the window is locked), he/she can selectively take out one or more of the first movable sliders  11 ″ and one or more of the second movable sliders  12 ″ respectively from the anchored frames  10 ″, so as to rapidly and easily remove the anti-falling device to not influence the evacuation and the view, which is therefore more convenient to use. 
     Comparing to the art, the configurable barrier assembly of the present invention is mainly to be installed into different places that needs to prevent falling, such as the top and bottom sides or the left and right sides of a window frame of a balcony, patio, or window. An end of the anti-falling cord is attached on the first movable slider, while the other end is attached on the second movable slider. Then, the first movable slider and the second movable slider are formed in pair and are slid and stacked at the anchored frames respectively, so that a user may decide the height of the configurable barrier assembly by himself via a desired numbers of anti-falling cords and the distance between two adjacent cords, so as to achieve the best anti-falling feature. Also, when it becomes unneeded (e.g. when the window is closed), it allows the first movable sliders and the second movable sliders to be selectively removed from the anchored frames in a tool-less manner, so as not to influence the evacuation or view. It makes the users to use the configurable barrier assembly freely, so as to enhance the overall practicability thereof. 
     Although the above descriptions and figures have disclosed preferred embodiments of the present invention, it shall be noticed that there are all kinds of adding, many modifications, and substitutions can be used in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but still be within the scope and spirit of the principles of the present invention defined in the appended claims. Those who skill in the art of the field of the present invention should understand that the present invention can be modified in many forms, structures, settings, ratios, materials, elements, and components. Hence, the embodiments disclosed herein in the present specification shall be considered describing the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention. The scope of the present invention shall be defined by the appended claims and include the legal equivalents thereof, which is not limited within the above descriptions. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.