Patent Publication Number: US-11649667-B2

Title: Articulating expandable barrier

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/595,918, filed Oct. 8, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/606,860, filed May 26, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,883, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/343,627, filed May 31, 2016, entitled “Articulating Expandable Barrier,” the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates to expandable barriers having portions that articulate relative to one another via a hinge. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Temporary barriers are often used to delineate an area against vehicle or personal entry often incorporate lattice type structure capable of expanding in the vertical plane. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some aspects there are provided systems, devices, and methods for temporarily and/or customizably providing barrier function. 
     In some aspects, there is provided an adjustable barrier having a central hinge having a cylindrical post and an axis of rotation; a first expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a first connector; and a second expandable section coupled to the cylindrical post of the central hinge by at least a second connector. At least one of the first and second expandable sections is configured to articulate around the axis of rotation of the central hinge forming an articulation angle between the first and second expandable sections. 
     The cylindrical post can extend upright between the first and second expandable sections. The first connector and the second connector each can include a generally tubular knuckle and a leaf extending laterally from the knuckle. Each knuckle can have an inner diameter sized to receive an outer diameter of the cylindrical post such that the knuckle is received over the cylindrical post. Each leaf can be configured to couple to its respective expandable section. The articulation angle can be between 0 degrees at which the first and second expandable sections is folded over completely against one another to about 180 degrees at which the first and second expandable sections are unfolded relative to one another and extend within a single vertical plane. 
     The barrier can further include a hinge lock configured to engage the first and second expandable sections when the first and second expandable sections are aligned within a single vertical plane thereby preventing articulation around the axis of rotation. The hinge lock can include a tubular region and a locking region extending upward from the tubular region. The tubular region can have an outer diameter sized to insert within an inner diameter of the cylindrical post. The first and second slots can extend through a full thickness of the locking region on opposing lateral sides towards a center of the locking region. When the tubular region of the hinge lock is received within the cylindrical post at least a portion of an upper edge of a respective one of the first and second expandable sections can extend through the first and second slots fixing the first and second expandable sections relative to one another preventing articulation around the central hinge. The hinge lock can be removeable from the barrier. The hinge lock can further include a tether coupled to a region of the hinge lock and to a region of the barrier. The barrier can be free-standing. The barrier can include a first footing coupled to a lower end of the first expandable section, a second footing coupled to a lower end of the second expandable section, and a third footing coupled to a lower end of the cylindrical post. At least one of the first, second, and third footings can be removable from the barrier. At least one of the first, second, and third footings can incorporate casters. The first expandable section can include a first multiplicity of slats hingedly interconnected in a scissoring lattice-type structure configured to expand outward from a compact, collapsed narrow configuration to an expanded, wide configuration. The second expandable section can include a second multiplicity of slats hingedly interconnected in a scissoring lattice-type structure configured to expand outward from a compact, collapsed narrow configuration to an expanded, wide configuration. The barrier can include a third expandable section coupled to the second expandable section by a second hinge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, 
         FIG.  1    is an implementation of the barrier in a collapsed configuration; 
         FIG.  2    is a view of a first side of the barrier of  FIG.  1    in a collapsed, articulated configuration; 
         FIG.  3    is a view of a second side of the barrier of  FIG.  1    in a collapsed, articulated configuration; 
         FIG.  4    is a view of the barrier of  FIG.  1    in an expanded, articulated configuration; 
         FIG.  5    is a close-up view of the barrier of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a detailed view of a portion of the barrier of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a partially exploded view of the portion of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a connector from  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a top perspective view of the connector from  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a partially exploded view of a portion of the barrier of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a detailed view of a portion of the barrier of  FIG.  1    showing the hinge lock; 
         FIG.  12    is a detailed view of the portion of the barrier of  FIG.  1    showing the hinge lock in a first, unlocked configuration; 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of the portion of the barrier of  FIG.  1    showing the hinge lock in a second, locked configuration; 
         FIG.  14    is an exploded view of the barrier of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIGS.  15 - 16    are perspective views of a connector for use with the barrier of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  17    is a front view of an implementation of a barrier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein are temporary barriers that are expandable and collapsible in the vertical plane that also incorporate a hinge allowing for articulation of the expandable/collapsible portions relative to one another providing more flexibility. The temporary barriers described herein are particularly useful to block off a defined portion of an area, such as a portion of an aisle in a retail establishment. 
     It should be appreciated that although the barriers herein are described in the context of their use for safety, the barriers are usable for any number of purposes. In some implementations, the barriers described herein are usable for marking out a ground or floor area in which there is a safety hazard or in which maintenance or repair work is being carried out. In particular, the barriers described herein are useful in retail aisles where only a portion of the width of the aisle is barricaded and the remainder of the width of the aisle is open to the flow of traffic. The barriers described herein can be used for both outdoor and indoor applications. In some implementations, the barriers described herein are useful for indoor areas including residential buildings, retail buildings such as shopping malls, or warehouse “box” stores, other public venues such as maintenance locations, sporting venues, and other public venues or locations. It should also be appreciated that relative, directional language and terms regarding orientation such as “right,” “left,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “backward,” “forward,” “upward,” “downward,” “inward,” “outward” and the like are used throughout merely for convenience for description and are not intended to be limiting. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIGS.  1 - 4    illustrate a first implementation of a temporary barrier  100 . The barrier  100  can incorporate at least a first expandable section  105   a  coupled to at least a second expandable section  105   b  by a central hinge  115  allowing for the expandable sections to articulate relative to one another around an axis of rotation A. The axis of rotation A can extend through a cylindrical post of the central hinge  115 . 
     The expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b  can incorporate a multiplicity of slats  120  hingedly interconnected in a scissoring lattice-type structure as is known in the art. It should be appreciated that a variety of expandable structure configurations are considered herein so long as the expandable sections are readily expanded outward from a compact, collapsed narrow configuration shown in  FIG.  1    to an expanded, wide configuration shown in  FIG.  4   . In the narrow configuration edges of the slats  120  can abut one another such that each of the slats  120  extends generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the floor. In the expanded, wide configuration the edges of the slats  120  are separated from one another forming an open lattice structure to achieve a maximum extension. It should be appreciated that although the barrier  100  shown in the figures incorporated an open lattice that the barriers described herein can also incorporate a closed structure such that the space between the slats  120  is covered by a material such as a fabric, plastic, or other material. Also, the relative thickness of each of the slats  120  can vary providing differing degrees of privacy and protection on either side of the barrier  100 . It should also be appreciated that the barrier  100  may include more than two expandable sections  105 , including 3, 4, 5 or more sections configured to be pivotably attached to one another for creating an enlarged space of various geometries. Further, the materials, weights, and overall size of the barrier components described herein can vary to satisfy different user preferences, such as more robust, heavy-duty metal materials for some implementations and less robust, lighter-weight, plastic materials for other implementations. 
     As mentioned above, the first expandable section  105   a  articulates relative to the second expandable section  105   b  around the central hinge  115  axis of rotation A forming an articulation angle between the first and second expandable sections. The central hinge  115  can include at least a first connector  125   a  coupled to the first expandable section  105   a  and at least a second connector  125   b  coupled to the second expandable section  105   b . The central hinge  115  can also include a cylindrical post  130  extending upright between the first and second expandable section  105   a ,  105   b  that is configured to couple to each of the connectors  125   a ,  125   b  forming the hinge  115  (see  FIG.  5   ). The axis of rotation A extends through a center of the cylindrical post  130 . 
     Each expandable section  105  includes at least one connector  125 , but can incorporate more than one connector  125 . For example, each expandable section  105   a ,  105   b  can include two connectors  125  such that there are two connections points or hinge elements formed between the expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b .  FIG.  5   , for example, shows one hinge element formed near a lower end of the barrier  100  and a second hinge element formed near an upper end of the barrier  100 , each hinge element incorporating first and second connectors  125   a ,  125   b  and at least a region of the cylindrical post  130 . The connector  125   a  of the first expandable section  105   a  can be positioned on the post  130  such that its lower edge  132  is adjacent an upper edge  133  of the connector  125   b  of the second expandable section  105   b  forming an articulating hinge element near a lower end region of the barrier  100 . Another connector  125   a  of the first expandable section  105   a  can be positioned on the post  130  such that its upper edge  133  is adjacent a lower edge  132  of the connector  125   b  of the second expandable section  105   b  forming an articulating hinge element near an upper end region of the barrier  100 . In other implementations, the connectors  125   a  of the first expandable section  105   a  interdigitate with the connectors  125   b  of the second expandable section  105   b . It should be appreciated that the relative number and arrangement of connectors  125  can vary. It should be appreciated that although the central hinge  115  is described as having a particular mechanical configuration herein that other configurations of hinges are considered herein including, but not limited to a barrel hinge, butt hinge, flush hinge, continuous hinge, piano hinge, etc. 
     Now with respect to  FIGS.  6 - 9   , each connector  125  can be a generally tubular structure having a leaf  126  extending outward laterally from a knuckle  127 . The leaf  126  of the connector  125  is configured to couple with the expandable section  105 , as will be described in more detail below, and the tubular knuckle  127  is configured to couple with the post  130 . The inner cylindrical surface of the tubular knuckle  127  has an inner diameter sized to receive an outer diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the post  130  such that the tubular knuckle  127  can be received over the post  130  and the connectors  125  and the post  130  are coaxially aligned. The tolerance between the inner surface or inner diameter of the tubular knuckle  127  and outer surface or outer diameter of the post  130  is such that the connector  125  is readily pivotable relative to the post  130 , but not too loose so as to affect a smooth articulating movement around the axis of rotation A. At least one or both of the connectors  125   a ,  125   b  can be moveably coupled to the post  130  such that at least one or both of the expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b  can rotate about the post  130  forming various articulation angles relative to one another. In some implementations, the tubular knuckle  127  of a first connector  125   a  is fixedly attached to the post  130  such that it does not rotate relative to the post  130  whereas the tubular knuckle  127  of a second connector  125   b  is rotatably attached to the post  130 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  7   , connector  125   b  inserted over the post  130  is configured to rotate relative to the post  130  whereas connector  125   a  inserted over the post  130  is configured to fixedly attach to the post  130  by a bolt  131  or other coupling element such that it does not rotate relative to the post  130 . Further, the adjacent edges of the connectors  125  forming each hinge element can incorporate a coating or covering allowing for smooth pivoting movements between them. Alternatively, as best shown in  FIGS.  6 - 7    a washer  134  or other elements between the connectors  125  can be incorporated into the hinge elements for smooth pivoting movements of the expandable sections. 
     Again with respect to  FIGS.  5 - 9   , each of the connectors  125  also include a connection leaf  126  configured to couple with its respective expandable section  105 . The connection leaf  126  can be an outwardly-extending planar portion having at least one aperture extending through it. As mentioned previously, each expandable section  105   a ,  105   b  includes a multiplicity of slats  120  that extend between an inner upright  135  and an outer upright  140  (see  FIG.  5   ). The inner upright  135  can be a generally rectangular, planar piece having a first elongate edge oriented towards and moveably coupled to the scissoring slats  120  and a second elongate edge oriented towards the central post  130  and having a plurality of openings  145 . When the tubular knuckle  127  of the connector  125  is positioned over the central post  130 , the at least one aperture extending through the connection leaf  126  aligns with an opening  145  of the inner upright  135  such that a coupling element  128  can be received therethrough. The coupling element  128  can be a rivet, screw, bolt, or other component configured to clamp the connector  125  to its respective expandable section  105 . In some implementations, the connection leaf  126  of the connector  125  is formed by a pair of opposing flanges configured to receive the inner upright  135  therebetween (best shown in  FIGS.  8 - 9   ). The coupling element  128  extends through a first aperture on a first flange, an opening  145  of the inner upright  135  and a second aperture on the second flange such that the inner upright  135  and connection leaf  126  are coupled together by the coupling element  128 . In some implementations, the opposing flanges each have two apertures configured to receive two coupling elements  128 . 
     Now with respect to  FIGS.  10 - 13   , the barrier  100  can incorporate a hinge lock  150  such that when the two expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b  are not articulated around the hinge  115  and are each aligned within a single vertical plane, the hinge lock  150  can engage a portion of the inner uprights  135  of each of the sections  105   a ,  105   b  locking them into fixed relative position and preventing articulation around the axis of rotation of the hinge  115 . The hinge lock  150  can include a tubular region  155  having an outer diameter configured to insert within the inner diameter from an upper end of the tubular central post  130  and a locking region  160  extending upward from the tubular region  155 . The locking region  160  can have first and second slots  165  on opposing lateral side that each extend through the full thickness of the locking region  160  and from the lateral side towards the center of the locking region  160 . Each of the slots  165  are wide enough to receive at least a portion of an upper edge of a respective one of the inner uprights  135  of the first and second expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b . The hinge lock  150  can be fixedly attached to the barrier  100  and slidable between a locked and unlocked position relative to the central hinge  115 . Alternatively, the hinge lock  150  can be a removable element. The hinge lock  150 , regardless of whether it is removable, is configured to be advanced downward such that tubular region  155  extends into the lumen of the central post  130 . The hinge lock  150  can be rotated such that the lateral slots  165  of the locking region  160  align with the upward-extending edges of the inner upright  135 . Advancement of the tubular region  155  of the hinge lock  150  downwards into the lumen of the central post  130  results in the inner uprights  135  extending through the lateral slots  165  such that the expandable sections  105  are fixed relative to one another preventing articulation around the central hinge  115  (see  FIG.  13   ). As mentioned, the hinge lock  150  can be a removable feature. A tether  170  can be incorporated on a region of the hinge lock  150  such that when the hinge lock  150  is not in use it can remain associated with the barrier  100  until it is needed again, for example, when no articulation around the hinge  115  is desired and/or when the barrier  100  is being stowed away. 
     As mentioned above, each expandable section  105  includes a multiplicity of slats  120  that extend between the inner upright  135  and the outer upright  140 . The inner upright  135  can couple to a first slat pair near a lower end of the first edge by a first coupling  170  and to a second slat pair near an upper end of the first edge by a second coupling  170 . The couplings  170  between the slat pairs and the inner upright  135  are configured to undergo scissor action, like the couplings between the slats  120  themselves. The first edge oriented towards the scissoring slats  120  can incorporate an elongated slot (see  FIG.  17   ) near the upper end within which the coupling  170  can be received. This elongated slot allows for the coupling  170  to slide up and down within the slot depending on expansion of the expandable section  105  such that when the expandable section  105  is in the narrow configuration, the coupling  170  is positioned at an upper end of the slot and when the expandable section  105  is in the wide configuration, the coupling  170  slides down away from the upper end of the slot near a lower end of the slot. A mechanism can be incorporated to limit expansion, such as a bolt or other feature. Further, the couplings described herein can vary including, but not limited to bolts, screws, pins or other mechanisms. 
     Again with respect to  FIG.  5   , the outer upright  140  can be a generally elongate element coupled to a first slat pair near a lower end by a first coupling  170  and to a second slat pair near an upper end by a second coupling  170 . The couplings  170  between the slat pairs and the outer upright  140  are configured to undergo scissor action. The outer upright  140  can provide a surface for a user to grasp the expandable section  105  without risk of pinching their fingers when the sections  105  are expanded. Additionally, the outer upright  140  can incorporate one or more handle elements (see  FIG.  1   ) to aid in grasping and/or expanding the sections  105  of the barrier  100 . 
     The barrier  100  can be a free-standing barrier. In some implementations, a base or footing  175  can be coupled to lower ends of the expandable sections such as each of the outer uprights  140  to support the barrier and prevent it from tipping during use. A footing  175  can also be coupled to a lower end of the central post  130 . The footing  175  can be removably or permanently coupled to the lower end of the outer uprights  104  and post  130 . A rod  177  of the footing  175  can extend upwardly into a correspondingly-shaped receiver element  178  near a lower end region of the outer uprights  140  or a lower end region of the central post  130 . The footing  175  can be a generally t-shaped element as shown in  FIG.  14    to provide a low-profile configuration to the barrier  100  when folded up as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , however it should be appreciated that other stable configurations are considered herein. The footing  175  can incorporate casters  179  to provide ease of movement of the expandable sections  105 , for example during expansion of the sections  105  as well as the pivoting of the sections  105  relative to one another along any of a variety of angles (see  FIG.  4   ). 
     When the barrier  100  is folded into a storage configuration, the angle achieved between the two expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b  for storage can be between about 0 degrees (i.e. folded over onto each other completely), about 10 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, up to under 180 degrees (i.e. unfolded), as well as any other degree angle in between. Further, the angle achieved between the two expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b  during use can be between about 0 degrees (i.e. folded over onto each other completely), 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees (i.e. unfolded), 270 degrees, approaching 360 degrees (i.e. folded over onto each other completely in the opposite direction), as well as any other degree angle in between. The angle achieved by articulating the expandable sections  105   a ,  105   b  relative to one another allows for the barrier  100  to be used to enclose a variety of geometrically shaped areas depending on how many expandable sections  105  are connected together by the hinge  115 . If such a barrier  100  is used in an aisle of a retail store, the aisle can be completely blocked if the barrier sections  105  are extended across the aisle and no relative articulation achieved. The barrier  100  can also be used to block only a portion of the width of the aisle, for example, by articulating one of the sections 90 degrees relative to the other. In a further implementation, three expandable sections  105  are coupled together by hinges  115  such that a triangularly-shaped region can be enclosed. In other implementations, more than three expandable sections  105  are coupled together by hinges  115  such that other geometrically-shaped regions can be enclosed or barricaded. 
     As mentioned above, the barrier  100  can be a completely free-standing barrier or it can be attached and supported on at least a first end to another structure. For example, a first expandable section  105   a  can be coupled to a wall, entryway, or other feature where the barrier  100  is intended to be used and a second expandable section  105   b  can be free-standing such that it incorporates a footing  175 . Further, in this implementation, the central post  130  can also incorporate a footing  175 .  FIGS.  15  and  16    illustrate an implementation of a connector  190  for attached an outer upright  140  to a bracket  195  or other similar element located in the environment within which the barrier  100  is to be used. The configuration of connector  190  can vary and this represents one example. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the environment that the barrier  100  is to be used can vary such that the bracket  195  can be affixed to a wall, doorframe, shelving, or other feature. 
     The barriers described herein can incorporate any of a number of user-friendly features including one or more signs, chains and/or padlocks to maintain the collapsed configuration of the barrier  100  when not in use. 
     While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations may be made based on what is disclosed. 
     In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” 
     Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.