Patent Publication Number: US-11639630-B1

Title: Gated barrier

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S. provisional application No. 62/794,952 filed Jan. 21, 2019, which provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a barrier having a gate, more particularly relates to a barrier having a gate that is configurable into an infinite number of forms, including an endless form and a form having two ends. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gated barriers are manufactured, shipped, stored in warehouses, occupy space on the retail store shelf, are purchased by the end user, assembled by the end user, disassembled by the end user, and used by infants, toddlers, children, juveniles, teenagers, and adults. Accordingly, there are competing issues across a broad spectrum. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of a barrier frame first portion, of a barrier frame second portion, of a gate between the barrier frame first and second portions, where the barrier frame first portion includes a first standard adjacent to and spaced from the gate, where the barrier frame second portion includes a second standard adjacent to and spaced from the gate, where the barrier frame first portion includes a threshold first portion having a first inner end, where the barrier frame second portion includes a threshold second portion having a second inner end and the second inner end of the threshold second portion is adjacent to the first inner end of the threshold first portion, where the gate is pivotally engaged to the barrier frame first portion, where the gate is removably engaged to the barrier frame second portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of a first panel having a first uppermost traversing member and a first lowermost traversing member, where the first uppermost traversing member and first lowermost traversing member are spaced apart by a set of first support members, and of a first uppermost junction and a first lowermost junction, where the first uppermost junction and first lowermost junction engage the barrier frame first portion to the first panel, where the first uppermost junction and first lowermost junction are rotatable such that the first panel and barrier frame first portion are swingable relative to each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of a second panel having a second uppermost traversing member and a second lowermost traversing member, where the second uppermost traversing member and second lowermost traversing member are spaced apart by a set of second support members, and of a second uppermost junction and a second lowermost junction, where the second uppermost junction and second lowermost junction engage the barrier frame second portion to the second panel, where the second uppermost junction and second lowermost junction are rotatable such that the second panel and barrier frame second portion are swingable relative to each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the threshold first portion having a bottom defining a first plane, and of the threshold second portion having a bottom defining a second plane, where the first lowermost traversing portion of the first panel includes a bottom defining a third plane, where the second lowermost traversing portion of the second panel includes a bottom defining a fourth plane, where the first and second planes are coplanar, where the third and fourth planes are coplanar, and where the first and second planes are offset from the third and fourth planes. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the first lowermost junction including a bottom defining a fifth plane and of the second lowermost junction including a bottom defining a sixth plane, where the first, second, fifth, and sixth planes are coplanar. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the first and second inner ends of the threshold first and second portions being adjacent to each other without engaging each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the threshold first portion being tubular, of the first inner end of the threshold first portion including a first end cap that closes off the first inner end of the threshold first portion such that the first inner end is a closed end, of the threshold second portion being tubular, and of the second inner end of the threshold second portion including a second end cap that closes off the second inner end of the threshold second portion such that the second inner end is a closed end, and of the first and second end caps of the threshold first and second portions being adjacent to each other without engaging each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the first end cap being a first male end cap that includes a first insert that is inserted into the first inner end of the threshold first portion, and of the second end cap being a second male end cap that includes a second insert that is inserted into the second inner end of the threshold second portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of a connection between the threshold first portion and the threshold second portion that maintains the threshold first portion and threshold second portion in a straight line with each other, where the connection includes a rigid elongate straight piece having an inverted U-shaped section such that the elongate straight piece is adjacent to a top section of each of the threshold first portion and threshold second portion, such that the elongate straight piece is adjacent to a front side section of each of the threshold first portion and threshold second portion, and such that the elongate straight piece is adjacent to a rear side section of each of the threshold first portion and threshold second portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the threshold first portion being tubular, of the first inner end of the threshold first portion including a first end cap that closes off the first inner end of the threshold first portion such that the first inner end is a closed end, of the threshold second portion being tubular, of the second inner end of the threshold second portion including a second end cap that closes off the second inner end of the threshold second portion such that the second inner end is a closed end, and of the first and second end caps of the threshold first and second portions are adjacent to each other without engaging each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of a barrier frame first portion, of a barrier frame second portion, of a gate between the barrier first and second portions, where the barrier frame first portion includes a first standard adjacent to and spaced from the gate, where the barrier frame second portion includes a second standard adjacent to and spaced from the gate, where the barrier frame first portion includes a threshold first portion having a first inner end, where the barrier frame second portion includes a threshold second portion having a second inner end, where the second inner end of the threshold second portion is adjacent to the first inner end of the threshold first portion, where the gate is pivotally engaged to the barrier frame first portion, where the gate is removably engaged to the barrier frame second portion, and of a connection between the threshold first portion and the threshold second portion that maintains the threshold first portion and threshold second portion in a straight line with each other, where the connection includes a rigid elongate straight piece having an inverted U-shaped section such that the elongate straight piece is adjacent to a top section of each of the threshold first portion and threshold second portion, such that the elongate straight piece is adjacent to a front side section of each of the threshold first portion and threshold second portion, and such that the elongate straight piece is adjacent to a rear side section of each of the threshold first portion and threshold second portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the threshold first portion including a bottom defining a first plane, of the threshold second portion including a bottom defining a second plane, and of the first and second planes being coplanar. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the rigid elongate straight piece being engaged to the threshold first portion by a first pin connector, and of the rigid elongate straight piece being engaged to the threshold second portion by a second pin connector. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the rigid elongate straight piece being engaged to the threshold first portion by a pair of first pin connectors, and of the rigid elongate straight piece being engaged to the threshold second portion by a pair of second pin connectors. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the gate being pivotally engaged to the threshold first portion of the barrier frame first portion at a first location, of the gate being engagable to the threshold second portion of the barrier frame second portion at a second location, and of the rigid elongate straight piece being disposed between the first and second locations. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the gate including a lowermost traversing member, an uppermost traversing member, a first end member adjacent to the first standard of the barrier frame first portion, and a second end member adjacent to the second standard of the barrier frame second portion, where the first and second end members space the lowermost and uppermost traversing members apart from each other, where the rigid elongate straight piece is between the first threshold portion and the lowermost traversing member of the gate, where the rigid elongate straight piece is between the second threshold portion and the lowermost traversing member of the gate, and where the rigid elongate straight piece is adjacent to the lowermost traversing member of the gate. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the gated barrier being free of traversing members extending between the lowermost traversing member of the gate and the rigid elongate straight piece. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the gate including a lowermost traversing member, an uppermost traversing member, a first end member adjacent to the first standard of the barrier frame first portion, a second end member adjacent to the second standard of the barrier frame second portion, and first and second internal vertical support members, where the first and second end members and first and second internal vertical support members space the lowermost and uppermost traversing members apart from each other, where the first internal vertical support member is disposed on a straight line that intersects the rigid elongate straight piece and the threshold first portion, and where the second internal vertical support member is disposed on a straight line that intersects the rigid elongate straight piece and the threshold second portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of the first and second standards being tubular, of the threshold first and second portions being tubular, of the gate including uppermost and lowermost traversing members that are tubular, of the gate including end support members that are tubular, and of the gate including internal support members that are tubular. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a gated barrier, of each of the first and second end caps, that are inserted into the inner confronting ends of the threshold first and second portions, including a vertical through opening such that pin connectors engaging the connection and threshold first and second portions extend into the vertical through opening of the first and second end caps. 
     An advantage of the present invention it that the gated barrier may be configurable into a number of forms. For example, the gated barrier may be configured into a form having two ends, with the gate being intermediate the two ends. Or the gated barrier may be configured into the form of an endless playyard, where the playyard includes a gate for access into and out of the playyard. 
     Another advantage is that the gated barrier includes panels that may be added and subtracted as needed such that an endless playyard may be made relatively large or relatively small and such that a relatively straight gated barrier may be made relatively long or relatively short. 
     Another advantage is that the gate of the gated barrier has an open top such that both adults and children can walk through the gate. 
     Another advantage is that the gated barrier takes up a minimum space on the retail shelf. One feature contributing to this advantage is that the gate threshold is formed of two parts. Another feature contributing to this advantage is that each of the barrier frame first and second portions may be swung to a connected back to back position with an adjacent panel, and that adjacent panels may be swung to connected back to back positions. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the gated barrier is stable, whether the gated barrier is in a generally straight form or in an endless playyard form. One feature contributing to this advantage is the flat bottom found on the gate threshold portions and lowermost junctions. 
     Another advantage is that panels are easily swingable. One feature contributing to this advantage is that the bottom faces of the lowermost horizontal support members of the panels are offset from a plane defined by 1) bottommost faces of the junction apparatus between the panels and 2) the bottom faces of the first and second threshold portions such that the bottom faces of the lowermost horizontal support members of the panels are spaced from a hardwood floor, carpet, rug or other terrain. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the gate includes a secure locking handle. 
     Another advantage is that the gated barrier is safe to use. 
     Another advantage is that the gated barrier is easy to use for an adult and, at the same time, difficult to use by the young. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective exploded view of the present gated barrier. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1    in a playyard form. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1    in a form having two ends. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a corner connection for the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   , where the corner connection engages an upright support member and a horizontal support member of the gate and where the corner connection further includes swinging locks for engaging the threshold of the gated barrier. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded view of the housing for the locking handle apparatus or latch apparatus of the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6 A  is a perspective exploded view of a first portion of the barrier frame of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6 B  is a perspective assembled view of the first portion of the barrier frame of  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective exploded view of a second portion of the barrier frame of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7 B  is a perspective assembled view of the second portion of the barrier frame of  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective exploded view of a first panel of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  9    is an elevation assembled view of the first panel of  FIG.  8    showing the offset between bottom face of the lowermost horizontal support member of the panel and the bottom faces of the lowermost junction portions. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective exploded view of a second panel of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective assembled view of the second panel of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective exploded view of the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective assembled view of the gate of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  14    is an elevation view of a stripped down gate of the gate of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  15 A  is a perspective exploded view of the threshold connection between the first and second threshold portions of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  15 B  is a top, partially phantom view of the threshold connection of  FIG.  15 A  engaged to the threshold portions. 
         FIG.  15 C  is a front view of the threshold connection of  FIG.  15 A  engaged to the threshold portions. 
         FIG.  15 D  is a rear view of the threshold connection of  FIG.  15 A  engaged to the threshold portions. 
         FIG.  15 E  is an end view of either of the ends of the threshold connection of  FIG.  15 A . 
         FIG.  16 A  is a perspective view of a portion of the gated barrier of  FIG.  2    that shows the threshold connection. 
         FIG.  16 B  is a perspective view of a portion of the gated barrier of  FIG.  2    taken from a different perspective than  FIG.  16 A . 
         FIG.  17 A  is a perspective detail view of a corner of the stripped down gate of  FIG.  14   . 
         FIG.  17 B  is a perspective assembled view of the locking handle apparatus or latch apparatus of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  17 C  is a perspective view of the push button spring of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  17 B . 
         FIG.  18 A  is a top view of a first housing portion of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  18 B  is an elevation view of the inside of the first housing portion of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  18 A . 
         FIG.  18 C  is an end view of the first housing portion of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  18 A . 
         FIG.  19 A  is a top view of a second housing portion of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  19 B  is an elevation view of the inside of the second housing portion of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  19 A . 
         FIG.  19 C  is an end view of the second housing portion of the latch apparatus of  FIG.  19 A . 
         FIG.  20 A  is a perspective view of the outside of the second housing portion of  FIG.  19 B . 
         FIG.  20 B  is a perspective view of the outside of the first housing portion of  FIG.  18 B . 
         FIG.  21 A  is a perspective view of the exterior push button for the latch apparatus of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  21 B  is a side view of the exterior push button of  FIG.  21 A . 
         FIG.  21 C  is an end view of the exterior push button of  FIG.  21 A . 
         FIG.  22 A  is a perspective view of a toothed disk end cap for employment in an end and uppermost junction shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  22 B  is a perspective view of a turning knob for employment in the junctions between the panels of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  22 C  is a perspective view of a toothed end cap for employment in an end and uppermost junction shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  23 A  is a toothed female disk end cap unit for employment in the junctions between the panels of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  23 B  is a male disk end cap plug unit for employment in the junctions between the panels of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  23 C  is a toothed male disk end cap unit for employment in the junctions between the panels of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  23 D  is a male disk end cap unit for employment in the junctions of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  23 E  is a female disk end cap unit for employment in the junctions of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  24 A  is a top view of a female end cap for employment in an end and lowermost junction shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  24 B  is a section view of the female end cap of  FIG.  24 A . 
         FIG.  24 C  is a perspective bottom view of a male end cap for employment in an end and lowermost junction of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  24 D  is a section view of the male end cap of  FIG.  24 C . 
         FIG.  25 A  is an exploded view of the hinge pin for the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  25 B  is a side view of a hinge pin receiving ribbed end cap plug for the upper pivoting end of the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  25 C  is a perspective view of the hinge pin receiving ribbed end cap plug of  FIG.  25 B . 
         FIG.  25 D  is a perspective view of a ribbed end cap plug with pin for the bottom pivoting end of the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  26 A  is perspective view of an open ribbed end cap plug for the inside ends of the first and second threshold portions of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  26 B  is a perspective view of an open ribbed end cap plug for the latch tubular end of the uppermost support member of the gate of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  26 C  is a perspective view of hardware that may be mounted on a wall for engagement to an end junction of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  27 A  is a perspective view of a hinge cover for the barrier frame first portion of the gated barrier of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  27 B  is a section view of the hinge cover of  FIG.  27 A . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the present gated barrier is indicated by the reference number  10 . Gated barrier  10  includes a barrier frame first portion  12  and a barrier frame second portion  14 , a gate  16 , a set of panels  18  and  18 . 1 , and a junction apparatus  20  between panel  18  ( FIGS.  8  and  9   ) and panel  18 . 1  ( FIGS.  10  and  11   ). The junction apparatus  20  is further disposed between the barrier frame first portion  12  and panel  18  and between the barrier frame second portion  14  and panel  18 . Gated barrier  10  further includes a latch apparatus  22  or secure locking handle  22 , an inverted U-shaped connector  24  for engaging the inner ends of the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14  to each other in a spaced apart relation, and a third lock apparatus  26 . 
       FIG.  2    shows the gated barrier  10  in an endless playyard form. In  FIG.  2   , the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14 , gate  16 , panels  18  and  18 . 1 , and junction apparatus  20  are endlessly engaged to each other. 
       FIG.  3    shows the gated barrier  10  in a form having two ends where the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14 , gate  16 , panels  18  and  18 . 1 , and junction apparatus  20  are not endlessly engaged to each other, but where two otherwise adjacent panels  18  and  18 . 1  have been separated at one of the junction apparatus  20 . In  FIG.  2   , a first set of two wall mounts  28  are employed to secure a first junction apparatus  20  to a first vertical surface and a second set of two wall mounts  28  are employed to secure a second junction apparatus  20  to a second vertical surface. Each of the junction apparatus  20  includes a tubular vertical removable elongate support member  30 . When a non-endless playyard form like  FIG.  3    is desired, a supplemental support member  30  is required for one of the ends of the playyard of  FIG.  3   , as a junction apparatus  20  includes only one support member  30  when junction apparatus  20  engages two adjacent panels  18  and  18 . 1  to each other. 
       FIG.  4    is a detail view of the third lock apparatus  26 . Third lock apparatus  26  includes a body  32 . Body  32  includes a horizontal support member receptor  34  and a vertical support member receptor  36 . As shown in  FIG.  12   , horizontal support member receptor  34  receives a horizontal support member  38  and vertical support member receptor  36  receives a vertical support member  40 . The free ends of horizontal support member  38  and vertical support member  40  are adjacent to and spaced from each other. The free ends of the horizontal support member  38  and vertical support member  40  are inserted into the receptors  34 ,  36 , respectively. The body  32  serves as a mount for a pair of arms  42  that swing to and between up and down positions, where the down position brings arms  42  adjacent to respective front or rear faces of the threshold portion  43  of the second barrier frame portion  14 . When both arms  42  are pivoted to a down position, the gate  16  cannot swing away from a closed planar position relative to the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14 . When one of the arms  42  is in the down position and the other of the arms  42  is in the up and out of the way position, the gate  16  is swingable only one way away from the connected first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14 . Each of the arms  42  includes a tab  44  that engages a lower slot  46 .  FIG.  4    shows a lower slot  46  that tab  44  engages when arm  42  is in the down position. A pivot pin  47  engages the arms  42  with a pressure mounting such that tab  44  snaps into lower slot  46 . When in the up position, side edges of an inner perimeter of arm  42  snap over a nub  48  to maintain the arm  42  in the up position until manually pivoted to the down position. The axis of pin  47  is disposed on or adjacent to an axis of vertical support member  40  and is further disposed below an axis of the horizontal support member  38 . Locking washer  49  can engage the distal end of pin  47  to engage the arms  42  to body  32 . 
       FIGS.  5 ,  17 B,  17 C,  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  19 A,  19 B,  19 C,  20 A,  20 B  show the latch apparatus  22  or secure locking handle  22 . Latch apparatus  22  includes a housing  50  having a first half portion  52  and a second half portion  54 . Latch apparatus  22  further includes an exterior button  56  that operates an interior spring based button  58  on a U-shaped spring  60 . The interior spring based button  58  and U-shaped spring  60  combination is set inside the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62  having a front side  64 , a rear side  66 , a top side  68 , and a bottom side  69 . A through slot  70  is formed in each of the front side  64  and rear side  66 . A through hole  72  is formed in the top side  68 . The outer end of the slot  70  is spaced from an open end  74  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62 . The through hole  72  is spaced from the end  74  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62 . The through hole  72  is adjacent to the outer end of the slot  70 . During assembly, the U-shaped spring  60  is inserted through the open end  74  until the interior button  58  snaps out of the through hole  72 . Once set in place, the U-shaped spring  60  presses resiliently downwardly against the bottom side  69  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member and upwardly against the top side  68  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member. Once set in place, the U-shaped spring  60  does not slide axially in the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62 , but is compressed when the exterior button  56  presses down upon the interior button  58 . When pressure upon the exterior button  56  is released, the U-shaped spring  60  resiliently pushes the interior button  58  upwardly through an opening  76  in housing  50  to lock the housing  50  relative to the gate  16  if the opening  76  is aligned with opening  72  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62 . 
     Each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  includes an elongate or oblong tab  78  with circular ends that engages one of the through slots  70 . Elongate tab  78  includes a front end that hits the outer end of its respective slot  70 , which front end abutment defines the forward most sliding position of housing  50 , where the front end or nose of housing  50  captures or engages the inner end of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  so as to prevent the gate  16  from being swung open either forwardly or rearwardly. Elongate tab  78  includes a rear end that hits the inner end of its respective slot  70 , which rear end abutment defines the rearmost sliding position of housing  50 , where the front end or nose of housing  50  is out of the way of the inner end of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  such that gate  16  may be swung open either forwardly or rearwardly. Elongate tab  78  is disposed directly under the opening  76 . 
     Each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  are generally L-shaped so as to have a side portion  82  and a top portion  84 . When the top portions  84  abut each other, the side portions  82  are spaced apart and the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62  and inner end of the uppermost horizontal support member  50  are received in the housing  50  and between the side portions  82 . The top portion  84  includes a horizontally extending ledge  86  that rides on the top side  68  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62  of the gate  16  and that further rides on the top side of the inner end of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80 . Housing half portion  52  includes a pair of rearward and frontward tabs  88 ,  90  that extend laterally beyond ledge  86  to engage slots  89 ,  91  formed in housing half portion  54 . Each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  includes rearward and frontward cylindrical pin mounts  92 ,  94  that engage threaded pin connectors  96  for engaging the housing half portions  52 ,  54  to each other to form the housing  50 . Each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  includes a network of vertically and horizontally extending ribs  96 . Each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  includes a perimeter bottom edge  98  that undulates from a rear portion to a front portion. The shape of the perimeter bottom edge  98  permits an ergonomic grip for the hand of a user. The top portion  84  is the portion of each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  that is located between the horizontal ledge  86  and a perimeter top edge  100 . Tabs  88 ,  90 , pin mounts  92 ,  94  are disposed in the top portion  84 . Further disposed in the top portion  84  is the lower half of the exterior button  56 . 
     Exterior button  56  is shown in  FIGS.  21 A,  21 B, and  21 C . Exterior button  56  includes a longitudinally running vertical center wall  102  and a laterally running vertical center wall  104  that depend from a base  106 . Exterior button  56  further includes a pair of longitudinally running side walls  108  that extend parallel to the longitudinally running vertical center wall  102 . Longitudinally running vertical center wall  102  includes a central wall lower portion  110  that depends lower than the side walls  108 . Laterally running vertical center wall  104  includes a central wall lower portion  112  that depends lower than the side walls  108 . Lower portions  110 ,  112  form a junction  114 . Junction  114  is disposed immediately over the axis of interior button  58  of spring  60 . Lower portions  110 ,  112  and junction  114  depend into through opening  76  to a depth of the lower face of ledge  86  so as to press interior button  58  to a recessed out of the way position so that the housing  50  can slide back and forth, as far as elongate tabs  78  and slots  70  permit, to engage and disengage the front end or nose of the housing  50  with the inner end of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  of the barrier frame second portion  14 . The bottom edges of side walls  108 , portions of longitudinal wall  102 , and portions of lateral wall  104  abut the upper face of ledge  86  when the interior button  58  is pushed down by the exterior button  56  such that the height of lower portions  110 ,  112  is equal to the thickness of the ledge  86 . Base  106  includes a width and length greater than an opening  116  formed in each of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  so that exterior button  56  remains contained in the housing  50 . Exterior button  56  has minimal or no frontward and rearward movement in housing  50  as the base  106  abuts interior vertical walls  117 ,  119  of the housing half portions  52 ,  54 . Exterior button  56  has minimal or no sideways movement in the housing  50  as the base  106  abuts inner features of the side portions  82  of the housing half portions  52 ,  54 . Base  106  is lifted upwardly by the interior button  58  when housing  50  is slid so that opening  76  is aligned with interior button  58 . Opening  116  is formed by a perimeter edge  118  that is about equal to the circumference of the cap  118  that extends upwardly from the base  106 . The finger of a user presses upon the cap  118  to depress the exterior button  56 . The cap  118  extends outwardly of the body  50 . The front end of the housing  50  includes ribs  120  on the side portion  84  and top portion  86 . A ramp  122  extends from the ribs  120  on the top portion  86  upwardly and rearwardly to terminate at the top of the cap  118 . When the exterior button  56  is fully pressed upwardly by the interior button  58 , the top of the cap  118  is about flush with a top rear portion of the ramp  122  and side portions of the ramp are about flush with side portions of the cap  118  so as to generally hide the cap  118  behind the ramp  122  such that the user has a visual signal when the exterior button  56  is depressed and extended. Each of the outer surfaces of the housing half portions  52 ,  54  includes an oblong depression  124  having circular ends where a company or brand name plate may be engaged. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  show the barrier frame first portion  12 . Barrier frame first portion  12  includes a tubular standard  126  that is one-piece and integral with a tubular threshold portion  128 . Standard  126  is rectangular in section having unequal adjacent sides. Threshold portion  128  is rectangular in section having unequal adjacent sides. Standard  126  and threshold portion  128  are disposed at a right angle relative to each other. Barrier frame first portion  12  further includes an uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130  that is one-piece and integral with standard  126 . Barrier frame first portion  12  further includes a tubular cylindrical post  132  that extends between the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130  and threshold portion  128  and that is one-piece and integral with the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130  and threshold portion  128 . Post  132  runs parallel to standard  126 . Standard  126 , threshold portion  128 , horizontal support member  130 , and post  132  define a plane. Barrier frame first portion  12  further includes a metal bar piece  134  engaged with pin connectors to the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130  and extending inwardly in the plane of the barrier frame first portion  12 . In its distal end, metal bar piece  134  includes a through hole  135 . As shown in  FIGS.  6 A,  6 B,  27 A, and  27 B , a plastic piece or hinge cover  136  includes a U-shaped body  138  for receiving a portion of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130  and a portion of the standard  126 . A bar shaped upper receptor  140  is integral with the U-shaped body  138  and receives therein the metal bar piece  134 . Bar shaped upper receptor  140  includes in its distal end a through hole  142  that aligns with hole  135  of bar piece  134  after assembly. Plastic piece  136  further includes an integral end cap portion  144  that is inserted into the inner open end of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130 . 
     Barrier frame first portion  12  further includes a hole  146  for reception of a pin portion  148  of an end cap piece  150  that is inserted into a vertical tubular support member  152  of gate  16 , as shown in  FIG.  12   . Hole  146  is formed in the upper side  154  of the threshold portion  128 . The upper side  154  further includes two pin receptor holes  156 ,  158  for receiving pin connectors  160 . 
     Barrier frame first portion  12  further includes an end cap  162  for insertion into and closing off the inner open end  164  of the threshold portion  128 . End cap  162  is shown in  FIG.  26 A . A horizontal section of end cap  162  is rectangular with unequal adjacent sides. A vertical section of end cap  162  is rectangular with unequal adjacent sides. End cap  162  includes four solid sides and does not include fifth and sixth sides. In other words, fifth and sixth sides of end cap  162  are open such that end cap  162  is tubular and includes a through opening. A first side  166  of end cap  162  is the end side that is exposed to view and lies outside of the threshold portion  128 . Second and third sides  168 ,  170  are identical to each other and include vertically extending ribs  172 . A fourth side  172  is opposite of first side  166 . The distance between the outer faces of sides  168 ,  170  is about equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of sides  176 ,  178  of threshold portion  128  such that end cap  162  fits into open end  164  with a friction fit. The distance between the upper and lower edges of second side  168  is about equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of upper side  154  and lower side  180  of threshold portion  128  such that end cap  162  fits into open end  164  with a friction fit. The distance between the upper and lower edges of third side  170  is about equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of upper side  154  and lower side  180  of threshold portion  128  such that end cap  162  fits into open end  164  with a friction fit. The vertical ribs  172  on the outer faces of the second and third sides  168 ,  170  contribute to make a greater friction fit. End cap  162  includes an open bottom and an open top such that end cap  162  includes a through opening  182  such that end cap  162  may be inserted either right side up or upside down, i.e., such that there is no incorrect way to insert the end cap  162  into the open end  164 , such that pin  162  will encounter only open space and extend into through opening  182  when pin  162  is engaged with hole  158  when the connection  24  is being engaged. The first side  166  has a width greater than the width between the outer faces of second and third sides  168 ,  170 . The first side  166  has a height greater than the height between upper and lower edges of side  168  or the height between upper and lower edges of side  170 . The first side  166  has a width and height greater than the width and height of fourth side  174 . The height and width of the first side  166  is about equal to the height and width of outer faces of the threshold portion  128  such that the outer four edges of first side  166  are about flush with the outer four faces of the threshold portion  128 . End cap  162  can be referred to as a plug since the second, third, and fourth sides  168 ,  170 ,  174  plug into the open end  164 . Vertical outermost side  174  of plug  162  in threshold portion  128  is disposed intermediate pin holes  416  and intermediate pin connectors  412 . Vertical outermost side  174  of plug  162  in threshold portion  43  is disposed intermediate pin holes  418  and intermediate pin connectors  414 . 
     Barrier frame first portion  12  further includes two parts of the junction apparatus  20 . These two parts are a toothed annulus end cap  184  or uppermost junction portion  184  and a disk end cap  186  or disk end cap plug  186  or lowermost junction portion  186 . As shown in  FIG.  23 A , toothed annulus end cap  184  includes a support member receptor  188  that is integral with a toothed annulus  190  having a set of endless teeth  192  on top of the annulus  190 . Support member receptor  188  is friction fit to uppermost support member  130  and can also be engaged by a pin extending from the bottom side of receptor  188  into the uppermost support member  130 . The support member receptor  188  receives therein an outer portion of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  130  of the barrier frame first portion  12 . As shown in  FIG.  23 B , the disk end cap plug  186  includes a plug portion  194  with vertical ribs  196  on the vertical sides of the plug portion  194 . Disk end cap plug  186  includes an end cap portion  198  that abuts against the edges of the open end of the threshold member  128 . Disk end cap plug  186  includes a disk portion  200  that includes an outer cylinder  202 , an inner cylinder  204 , and a floor  206  that closes off outer cylinder  202  and inner cylinder  204  and that provides a flat surface for resting on a hardwood floor or a carpet or grass. Inner cylinder  204  defines a female receiver  208  for receiving inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268 . When assembled, at the locations adjacent the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14 , end cap  186  engages end cap  268  and male inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268  is received in the female inner cylinder  204  of end cap  186 . The plug portion  194  of the disk end cap plug  186  is plugged into the outer open end  209  of the barrier frame first portion  12  or barrier frame second portion  14 . 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show the barrier frame second portion  14 . Barrier frame second portion  14  includes a second tubular standard  210  that is one-piece and integral with the second tubular threshold portion  43 . Second standard  210  is rectangular in section having unequal adjacent sides. Second threshold portion  43  is rectangular in section having unequal adjacent sides. Second standard  210  and second threshold portion  43  are disposed at a right angle relative to each other. Barrier frame second portion  14  further includes the second uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  that is one-piece and integral with second standard  210 . Barrier frame second portion  14  further includes a second tubular cylindrical post  212  that extends between the second uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  and second threshold portion  43  and that is one-piece and integral with the second uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  and second threshold portion  43 . Second post  212  runs parallel to second standard  210 . Second standard  210 , second threshold portion  43 , second horizontal support member  80 , and second post  212  define a plane. Barrier frame second portion  14  further includes an end cap plug  214  having a plug portion  216  integral with an end cap portion  218 , as shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  26 B . Plug portion  216  is friction fit into the open end  220  of second uppermost tubular support member  80  until end cap portion  218  abuts the four outer edges that define the open end  220 . The plug portion  216  includes ribs  222  that extend from all four inner faces of the plug portion  216  that confront the four inner faces of the second uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80 . End cap plug  214  includes a through opening  224  that permits the plug portion  216  to flex inwardly as the plug portion  216  is inserted into the open end  220 . The through opening  224  is formed between an inner end  226  and the end cap portion  218  and two of the ribbed sides of the plug portion  216 . A second end cap plug  214  is employed for plugging the open end  228  of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  62  of the gate  16 . Such first and second end cap plugs  214  have end cap portions  218  that are adjacent to and spaced apart from each other when gate  16  is in the closed position. 
     Barrier frame second portion  14  further includes the two pin receptor holes  156 ,  158  for receiving pin connectors  160 . Pin receptor holes  156 ,  158  are formed in an upper side  230  of second threshold portion  43 . Second threshold portion  43  further includes a bottom side  232  opposite of the upper side  230 . Second threshold portion  43  further includes a front side  234  and a rear side  236  that is opposite of the front side  234 . 
     Barrier frame second portion  14  further includes a second end cap  162  for insertion into and closing off the inner open end  164  of the second threshold portion  43 . End cap  162  is described above as to barrier frame first portion  12  and such description is supplemented here. Second end cap  162  is shown in  FIG.  26 A . A horizontal section of second end cap  162  is rectangular with unequal adjacent sides. A vertical section of second end cap  162  is rectangular with unequal adjacent sides. Second end cap  162  includes four solid sides and does not include fifth and sixth sides. In other words, fifth and sixth sides of second end cap  162  are open such that end cap  162  is tubular. A first side  166  of second end cap  162  is the end side that is exposed to view and lies outside of the threshold portion  43 . Second and third sides  168 ,  170  are identical to each other and include vertically extending ribs  172 . A fourth side  172  is opposite of first side  166 . The distance between the outer faces of sides  168 ,  170  is about equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of sides  234 ,  236  of threshold portion  43  such that second end cap  162  fits into open end  164  of second threshold portion  43  with a friction fit. The distance between the upper and lower edges of second side  168  is about equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of upper side  230  and lower side  232  of second threshold portion  43  such that second end cap  162  fits into open end  164  of second threshold portion  43  with a friction fit. The distance between the upper and lower edges of third side  170  is about equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of upper side  230  and lower side  232  of second threshold portion  43  such that second end cap  162  fits into open end  164  of second threshold portion  43  with a friction fit. The vertical ribs  172  on the outer faces of the second and third sides  168 ,  170  contribute to make a greater friction fit with the open end  164  of second threshold portion  43 . End cap  162  includes an open bottom and an open top such that end cap  162  includes a through opening  182  such that end cap  162  may be inserted either right side up or upside down, i.e., such that there is no incorrect way to insert the end cap  162  into the open end  164  of second threshold portion  43 , such that pin  162  will encounter only open space when pin  162  is engaged with hole  158  of second threshold portion  43  when the connection  24  is being engaged between first and second threshold portions  128  and  43 . The first side  166  of the second end cap  162  has a width greater than the width between the outer faces of second and third sides  168 ,  170 . The first side  166  of the second end cap  162  has a height greater than the height between upper and lower edges of side  168  or the height between upper and lower edges of side  170 . The first side  166  of the second end cap  162  has a width and height greater than the width and height of fourth side  174 . The height and width of the first side  166  of the second end cap  162  is about equal to the height and width of outer faces of the second threshold portion  43  such that the outer four edges of first side  166  of second end cap  162  are about flush with the outer four faces of the second threshold portion  43 . Second end cap  162  can be referred to as a plug since the second, third, and fourth sides  168 ,  170 ,  174  plug into the open end  164  of the second threshold portion  43 . 
     The connection  24  is disposed between pin portion  148  and the third lock  26 . In other words, the connection  24  is disposed on the threshold first and second portions  128 ,  43  between 1) a location on threshold first portion  128  where the axis on which gate  16  swings intersects the threshold first portion  128  and 2) a location where the gate  16 , through third lock  26 , engages the second threshold portion  43 . The connection  24  preferably maintains the first and second end caps  162  in an adjacent and spaced apart relation. However, if desired, the first and second end caps  162  may abut each other. 
     The gate  16  includes lowermost traversing member  38 , uppermost traversing member  62 , first end member  152  adjacent to the first standard  126  of the barrier frame first portion  12 , a second end member  40  adjacent to the second standard  210  of the barrier frame second portion  14 , and a set of internal vertical support members  372 . The first and second end members  152 ,  40  and the set of internal vertical support members  372  space the lowermost and uppermost traversing members  38 ,  62  apart from each other. One of the internal vertical support members  372  is disposed on a straight line that intersects the rigid elongate straight piece  410  and the threshold first portion  128 . Another of the internal vertical support members  372  is disposed on a straight line that intersects the rigid elongate straight piece  410  and the threshold second portion  43 . 
     Barrier frame second portion  14  further includes two parts of the junction apparatus  20 . These two parts are the toothed annulus end cap  184  and the disk end cap plug  186 , both of which are described above as to the barrier frame first portion  12 . The support member receptor  188  of the second toothed annulus end cap  182  receives therein an outer portion of the uppermost tubular horizontal support member  80  of the barrier frame second portion  14 . The plug portion  194  of the second disk end cap plug  186  is plugged into the outer open end  209  of the second threshold portion  14 . 
     Panel  18  is shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , and panel  18 . 1  is shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   . Panel  18  defines a plane. Panel  18  includes an uppermost tubular horizontal or traversing support member  238 , a lowermost horizontal or traversing support member  240 , and a set of vertically extending tubular support members  242  extending to and between the uppermost and lowermost support members  238 ,  240 . Uppermost support member  238  is square in section. Lowermost support member  240  is square in section. Each of the vertical support members  242  is cylindrical. Uppermost support member  238  includes a pair of open ends  244 ,  246 . Lowermost support member  249  includes a pair of open ends  248 ,  250 . The endmost vertical support members  242  are set inwardly from and spaced from the open ends  244 ,  246 ,  248 ,  250 . Vertical support members  242  are set at a right angle relative to uppermost and lowermost support members  238 ,  240 . 
     Panel  18  in  FIG.  8    includes a pair of upper end caps  252  or uppermost junction portions  252  where one end cap  252  is engaged to open end  244  and another end cap  252  is engaged to open end  246 . End cap  252  is shown in  FIG.  23 C . End cap  252  includes a support member receptor portion  254  that is engaged by one or more of a friction fit and pin connector to uppermost support member  238 . Hole  256  engages a pin that also engages uppermost support member  238 . End cap  252  further includes a toothed annulus or outer cylinder  258  having a set of endless teeth  260  and floor  262  shaped in the form of a disk. Mounted on the floor  262  is an intermediate cylinder  264  and an innermost cylinder  266 . Intermediate cylinder  264  is threaded on its inside cylindrical face to engage the threads of the turning knob  298 . Innermost cylinder  266  is received by the through hole  306  of the turning knob  298 . 
     Panel  18  in  FIG.  8    includes a pair of lower end caps  268  or lowermost junction portions  268  where one end cap  268  is engaged to open end  248  and another end cap  268  is engaged to open end  250 . End cap  268  is shown in  FIG.  23 D . End cap  268  includes a support member receptor portion  270  that is engaged by one or more of a friction fit and pin connector to lowermost support member  240 . Hole  272  engages a pin that also engages lowermost support member  240 . End cap  268  includes a disk portion  274  that includes an outer cylinder  276  and an inner cylinder  278 . The inner cylinder  278  defines a post receptor. End cap  268  includes ceiling  280  that closes off the upper end of the outer cylinder  276  but leaves open inner cylinder  278  such that inner cylinder  278  acts as the post receptor. Inner cylinder  278  is not a through hole. Inner cylinder  278  includes an intermediate floor  282  disposed about halfway between the ends of inner cylinder  278 . It is this intermediate floor  282  upon which rests the bottom end of tubular post support member  30  of junction apparatus  20 . The inner cylinder  278  is also shown in  FIG.  8   . 
       FIG.  9    shows the panel  18  of  FIG.  8    with the upper and lower end caps  252 ,  268  engaged.  FIG.  9    is an elevation view. 
       FIG.  10    shows panel  18 . 1  with upper end cap  184 . Upper end cap  184  is shown in  FIG.  23 A . A first upper end cap  184  is engaged to open end  244  of uppermost horizontal support member  238 . A second upper end cap  184  is engaged to open end  246  of uppermost horizontal support member  238 . End caps  184  may be one or more of friction fit and engaged with a pin connector to the uppermost horizontal support member  238 . 
       FIG.  10    shows panel  18 . 1  with first lower end cap  284  or lowermost junction portion  284  engagable on open end  248  and a second lower end cap  284  or lowermost junction portion  284  engagable on open end  250 . End cap  284  is shown in  FIG.  23 E . End cap  284  includes a support member receptor portion  286  that is engaged by one or more of a friction fit and pin connector to lowermost support member  240 . End cap  284  includes a disk portion  288  that includes an outer cylinder  290 , an inner cylinder  292 , a floor  294  that closes off the bottom ends of the cylinders  290 ,  292 , and a cylinder receptor  296  that is defined by the inner cylinder  292 . Receptor  296  terminates at floor  294 . End cap  284  is a female receptor as female cylinder receptor  296  receives, for example, the male inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268 . 
       FIG.  11    shows the panel  18 . 1  of  FIG.  10    with the upper and lower end caps  252 ,  268  engaged.  FIG.  9    is an elevation view. 
     Lower end caps  268  and  284  are toothless. Upper end caps  184  and  252  have teeth. 
     Lower end cap  268  of  FIG.  8    engages lower end cap  284  of  FIG.  10   . The circular free edges of the outer cylinders  276 ,  290  abut each other. Inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268  is received in receptor  296  of inner cylinder  292  of end cap  284 . Disk portion  274  of end cap  268  is disposed on top of disk portion  288  of end cap  284 . 
     Upper end cap  252  of  FIG.  8    engages upper end cap  184  of  FIG.  10   . Teeth  260  of end cap  252  engage the teeth  192  of end cap  184 . Outer cylinder  264  of end cap  252  extends downwardly through the opening of annulus  190  such that teeth  260  are on top of teeth  192 . 
     Teeth  192  are pushed up into engagement with teeth  260  by a turning knob  298  shown in  FIG.  22 B . Turning knob  298  includes a roughened elongate handle  300 , a push annulus  302 , a threaded cylinder  304 , and a through hole  306 . Through hole  306  extends through the turning knob  298  from the threaded cylinder  304  to the bottom of the handle  300 . Hole  306  receives the tubular post support member  30 . Threaded cylinder  304  engages the inner threads of outer cylinder  264  of end cap  252  while the push annulus  302  pushes against the annular bottom  308  of annulus  190  of end cap  184 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , it can be noted that junction apparatus  20  may include, in sequence though some parts overlap, from top to bottom, end cap  252 , end cap  184 , turning knob  298 , end cap  268 , and end cap  284 . With reference to  FIG.  1   , one way to assemble this junction apparatus  20  is to push the tubular post support member  30  up through the turning knob  298  such that the turning knob  298  is intermediate the upper and lower ends of the tubular post support member  30 , place the end cap  252  on top of end cap  184  such that teeth  192  and  260  are brought together, turn the turning knob  298  to mesh and tighten with end cap  252 , slip end cap  268  between the bottom of tubular post support member  30  and end cap  284 , place inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268  into the inner cylinder  292 , then place the bottom of the tubular post support member  30  into post receptor  282  of end cap  268 , and then further tighten the turning knob  298  against end cap  252 . This relates to junction apparatus  20  between panel  18  and panel  18 . 1 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , the junction apparatus  20  between barrier frame first portion  12  and panel  18  includes, in sequence from top to bottom with some overlap, the end cap  252 , the end cap  184 , the turning knob  298 , the tubular post support member  30 , the end cap  268 , and the end cap  186 . One way to assemble this junction apparatus  20  is to push the tubular post support member  30  up through the turning knob  298 , place the end cap  252  on top of end cap  184  such that teeth  192  and  260  are brought together, turn the turning knob  298  to mesh and tighten with end cap  252 , slip end cap  268  between the bottom of tubular post support member  30  and end cap  186 , place inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268  into the inner cylinder  204  of end cap  186 , then place the bottom of the tubular post support member  30  into post receptor  282  of end cap  268 , and then further tighten the turning knob  298  against end cap  252 . 
       FIG.  3    shows an end junction apparatus  310  and an end junction apparatus  312 . End junction apparatus  310  includes, from top to bottom with some overlap, a toothed end cap  314  or uppermost junction portion  314 , end cap  184 , tubular post support member  30 , turning knob  298 , an upper wall mount  28 , a lower wall mount  28 , a male cap  316  or lowermost junction portion  316 , and end cap  284 . End junction apparatus  312  includes, from top to bottom with some overlap, end cap  252 , toothed annulus  318  or uppermost junction portion  318 , turning knob  298 , upper wall mount  28 , tubular post support member  30 , lower wall mount  28 , end cap  268 , and female cap  320  or lowermost junction portion  320 . 
     Toothed end cap  314  is shown in  FIG.  22 C . Toothed end cap  314  includes an outer cylinder  322  with a set of teeth  324  depending from a lower annular edge of the outer cylinder  322 . Outer cylinder  322  is spaced from an intermediate cylinder  326  having an inner threaded face  328 . Inwardly of and spaced from the intermediate cylinder  326  is an innermost cylinder  330  that is received in the turning knob opening  306  as the turning knob  298  threadingly engages the inner threaded face  328 . Toothed end cap  314  includes a flat top. 
     Wall mount  28  is shown in  FIG.  26 C . Wall mount  28  includes a base portion  332 , an extended body  334  integral with and extending from the base portion  332 , and a vertical through opening  336  at the distal end of the extended body  334 . Through opening  336  pivotally receives tubular post support member  30 . Base portion  332  includes upper and lower pin connector holes  338  for reception of pin connectors  340  that engage a vertical surface such as a wall. Extended body  334  includes side faces  342  that taper toward each other to the distal end having the vertical through hole  336 . Extended body  334  includes upper and lower faces  344 ,  346  that taper toward each other to the distal end having the vertical through hole  336 . 
     Male cap  316  is shown in  FIGS.  24 C and  24 D . First, it should be noted that the bottom of tubular post support member  30  is received in the opening  348  having floor  350  and that the bottom of tubular post support member  30  rests on the inner face of floor  350 . Male conical portion  352  of male cap  316  is frictionally received in female inner cylinder  292  of female end cap  284 . Bottom annular edge  354  of outer cylinder  356  of male cap  316  rests on the upper annular edge  358 , shown in  FIG.  23 E , of outer cylinder  290  of end cap  284 . 
     Toothed annulus  318  includes a ring portion  360  with a set of upwardly extending teeth  362 . Upwardly extending teeth  362  of annulus  318  engage downwardly extending teeth  260  of end cap  252 . Annular floor  364  of annulus  318  is pushed up against end cap  252  by the push annulus  302  of turning knob  298 . 
     Female end cap  320  is shown in  FIGS.  24 A and  24 B . Female end cap  320  includes a disk shaped floor  366 , an outer cylindrical wall  368 , and an inner cylindrical wall  370 . The inner cylindrical wall  370  is a female receptor for the male inner cylinder  278  of end cap  268 . 
     To assemble end junction apparatus  310 , it may first be determined where wall mounts  28  will be engaged to a wall or other surface. Then the wall mounts  28  and turning knob  298  can be slid onto the tubular post support member  30 . Then cap  316  can be friction fit onto end cap  284  and the bottom of tubular post support member  30  can be pushed into opening  348  to rest upon the inside face of floor  350 . Then the upper end of the tubular post support member  30  can be inserted up through annulus  190  of end cap  184  and be received by the inner opening defined by the innermost cylinder  330 . Then the turning knob  298  can be pushed up and engaged with inner threaded face  328  such that teeth  192  of end cap  184  can engage teeth  324  of toothed cap  314 . Then turning knob  298  can be tightened. Then wall mounts  28  can be secured to the wall or other surface. It should be noted that tubular post support member  30  is pivotable relative to wall mounts  28  such that panel  18 . 1  having caps  314  and  316  is pivotable relative to such wall mounts  28  and to such wall or other surface. 
     To assemble end junction apparatus  312 , it may first be determined where wall mounts  28  will be engaged to a wall or other surface. Then the wall mounts  28  and turning knob  298  can be slid onto the tubular post support member  30 . Then end cap  268  can be friction fit onto cap  320  and the bottom of tubular post support member  30  can be pushed into inner cylinder  278  to rest upon the inside face of floor  282 . Then the upper end of the tubular post support member  30  can be inserted up through toothed annulus  318  and be received by the inner opening defined by the innermost cylinder  266 . Then the turning knob  298  can be pushed up and engaged with inner threaded face of intermediate cylinder  264  such that teeth  260  of end cap  252  can engage teeth  362  of toothed annulus  318 . Then turning knob  298  can be tightened. Then wall mounts  28  can be secured to the wall or other surface. It should be noted that tubular post support member  30  is pivotable relative to wall mounts  28  such that panel  18  having toothed annulus  318  and cap  320  is pivotable relative to such wall mounts  28  and to such wall or other surface. Gate  16  is shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  12 ,  13 , and  14   . 
     As described above, gate  16  includes the lowermost horizontal or traversing support member  38 , the vertical or end support member  40 , the uppermost horizontal or traversing support member  62 , and the vertical or end support member  152 . Gate  16  further includes a set of interior vertical or upright support members  372  extending to and between the lower horizontal support member  38  and the uppermost horizontal support member  62 . Perimeter support members  38 ,  40 ,  62 , and  152 , are tubular. Interior support members  372  are tubular. Perimeter support members  38  are square in section. Interior support members  372  are cylindrical. End support member  152  includes an open bottom end  374  for the reception of end cap piece  150  having pin portion  148 , shown in  FIGS.  12  and  25 D . Pin portion  148  includes a bottom end  376  that is frustoconically tapered to guide the pin portion  148  into hole  146  of the threshold  128  of barrier frame first portion  12 . End cap piece  150  includes a plug portion  378  having four ribbed sides that taper inwardly toward a top end  380 . Between the plug portion  378  and pin portion  148  is a four sided stop  382  that abuts the absolute bottom edges of the end vertical support member  152  to prevent the end cap  150  from being further inserted into the open end  374 . Gate  16  further includes the latch apparatus  22  described above that is engaged adjacent to the junction of uppermost horizontal support member  62  and end vertical support member  40 . Gate  16  further includes end cap plug  214  shown in  FIGS.  12  and  26 B  that is engaged in otherwise open end  228  of uppermost horizontal support member  62 . Gate  16  further includes the third lock apparatus  26  that is engaged where the bottom end  384  of end support member  40  is adjacent to and spaced from the open end  386  of the lowermost horizontal support member  38 . Gate  16  further includes a pin receiving piece  388  that is engaged in a top open end  390  of end vertical support member  152 . Pin receiving piece  388  includes a stop portion  392  and a four sided ribbed plug portion  394 . Stop portion  392  abuts the four uppermost edges of end vertical support member  152  to prevent the pin receiving piece  388  from sinking downwardly beyond the open end  390  of end vertical support member  152 . Stop portion  392  and plug portion  394  share an axial through opening  396  that receives a pivot pin  398  that is shown in  FIGS.  1  and  25 A . Pivot pin  396  includes a head  400  having a diameter greater than the diameter of through opening  396  and greater than the diameter of opening  142  of plastic piece  136 , which engages the pivot pin  396  immediately above the stop portion  392  of pin receiving piece  388 . Pivot pin  398  includes a tubular shaft  402  that receives a spring  404  therein. Spring  404  includes a button  406  that extends through a hole  408  in a bottom portion of shaft  402 . In assembly, the button  406  is depressed immediately prior to the pivot pin  398  being inserted through openings  142  and  396 . While being inserted, the button  406  remains depressed by the inner cylindrical side of opening  396 . The button  406  resiliently snaps out of hole  408  when the button  406  exits the bottom of opening  396  such that the pivot pin  398  is locked to pin receiving piece  388 . Pivot pin  398  has a length greater than the height of the pin receiving piece  388 . Gate  16  swings on pivot pin  398  and pin portion  148  that are axially aligned. 
     Threshold portion  128  of barrier frame first portion  12  and threshold portion  43  of barrier frame second portion  14  are engaged in a spaced apart relation by the inverted U-shaped connection  24  shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D,  15 E,  16 A, and  16 B . The connection  24  maintains the threshold portions  128  and  43  in a spaced apart but confronting or adjacent orientation. Each of the threshold portions  128 ,  43  includes a straight axis and the connection  24  maintains the straight axis of the threshold portions  128 ,  43  in a straight line with each other. Each of the threshold portions  128 ,  43  have a bottom face, top face, front face, and rear faces, each of which face defines a plane. The connection  24  maintains the planes of these bottom, top, front, and rear faces of the threshold portions  128 ,  43  in coplanar bottom, top, front, and rear planes, respectively. The connection  24  between the threshold first portion  128  and the threshold second portion  43  maintains the threshold first portion  128  and threshold second portion  43  in a straight line with each other and maintains the barrier frame first and second portions  12 ,  14  in a common plane with each other. The connection  24  includes a rigid elongate straight piece  410  having an inverted U-shaped section from end to end such that the elongate straight piece  410  is adjacent to, confronts, and makes contact with a top side section of each of the threshold first portion  128  and threshold second portion  43 , such that the elongate straight piece  410  is adjacent to, confronts, and makes contact with a front side section of each of the threshold first portion  128  and threshold second portion  43 , and such that the elongate straight piece  410  is adjacent to, confronts, and makes contact with a rear side section of each of the threshold first portion  128  and threshold second portion  43 . The rigid elongate straight piece  410  is engaged to the threshold first portion  128  by a pair of first pin connectors  412 . The rigid elongate straight piece  410  is engaged to the threshold second portion  43  by a pair of second pin connectors  414 . Pin connectors  412  engage openings  416  in the rigid elongate straight piece  410  and openings  156 ,  158  in the threshold first portion  128 . Pin connectors  414  engage openings  418  in the rigid elongate straight piece  410  and openings  156 ,  158  in the threshold second portion  43 . Each of the pin connectors  412 ,  414  has a head that may be recessed in a top side  420  such that an uppermost portion of the head is no higher than an uppermost portion of the top side  420  so as to minimize threshold clearance. Or the head may lie upwardly beyond the top side  420  of the elongate rigid piece  410 . Rigid elongate straight piece  410  includes a top side  420  that is straight and flat and defines a plane, a front side  422  that is straight and flat and defines a plane, and a rear side  424  that is straight and flat and defines a plane. Top, front, and rear sides  420 ,  422 ,  424  are of equal length. The inner faces of the top, front, and rear sides  420 ,  422 ,  424  for their entire surfaces make contact with top, front, and side surface sections of the threshold first portion  128  and threshold second portion  43 . Connection  24  holds the axis of threshold portions  128 ,  43  in a straight line with each other such that the bottom sides of the threshold first and second portions  128 ,  43  define a plane, such that the front sides of the threshold first and second portions  128 ,  43  define a plane, such that the rear sides of the threshold first and second portions  128 ,  43  define a plane, and such that the top sides of the threshold first and second portions  128 ,  43  define a plane. The bottom edges  426 ,  428  of the front side  422  and rear side  424  of elongate straight piece  410  are spaced from the bottom face or bottom side of threshold first and second portions  128 ,  43 , as shown in  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B . 
     In operation, the gated barrier  10  arrives for the end user in a relatively small six sided box. Gated barrier  10  arrives with many of the panels  18  and  18 . 1  engaged with each other. This is possible because the end cap  184 ,  186 ,  252 ,  268 , and  284  have end cap portions and support member engagement portions that are offset from each other. As to end cap  184 , its end cap portion or annulus  190  is offset from its support member engagement portion  188 , with a center of end cap portion  190  being on a straight line defined by a side  430  of support member engagement portion  1188 . As to end cap  186 , its end cap portion  200  is offset from its support member engagement portion  194 , with a center of end cap portion  200  being on a straight line defined by a side  432  of support member engagement portion  194 . As to end cap  252 , its end cap portion  258  is offset from its support member engagement portion  254 , with a center of end cap portion  258  being on a straight line defined by a side  434  of support member engagement portion  254 . As to end cap  268 , its end cap portion  274  is offset from its support member engagement portion  270 , with a center of end cap portion  274  being on a straight line defined by a side  436  of support member engagement portion  270 . As to end cap  284 , its end cap portion  288  is offset from the support member engagement portion  286 , with a center of end cap portion  288  being on a straight line defined by a side  438  of support member engagement portion  286 . In other words, at each junction or at each junction apparatus  20 , panel  18  and  18 . 1  can swing relative to each other for 270 degrees, with one of the positions being where panel  18  and  18 . 1  are adjacent to each other and parallel to each other. An endless number of panels  18  and  18 . 1  can be disposed parallel and adjacent to each other as long as the panels repeat in the manner of  18 ,  18 . 1 ,  18 ,  18 . 1 ,  18 ,  18 . 1 , etc., where a panel  18  is engaged between two  18 . 1  panels, and where a panel  18 . 1  is engaged between two  18  panels. In light of the above, the length of the box in which gated barrier  10  is shipped is slightly greater than or about the same as the length of panels  18 ,  18 . 1 . The length of the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14  when engaged to each other are greater than the length of any of the panels  18 ,  18 . 1 . The length of each of the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14  is about equal to or slightly less than the length of each of the panels  18 ,  18 . 1 . Length means the length of the lowermost horizontal support member  240  or the length of the uppermost horizontal support member  238  plus the length of the exterior portions of the end caps. Length of the barrier frame first and second portions  12 ,  14  means the length of the threshold portions  128 ,  43  plus the length of the end caps  186 ,  162 . 
     The height of the barrier frame first and second portions  12 ,  14  is the same as the height of the panels  18 ,  18 . 1 . In other words, the axis of the uppermost support member  62  of the gate  16  lies in a common plane with the axis of each of the uppermost support members  238  of each of the panels  18  and  18 . 1 . 
     The bottommost faces or sides of the first and second threshold portions  128 ,  43  define a first plane, the bottommost faces of end caps  284  of panel  18 . 1  lie in this first plane, and the bottommost faces of end caps  268  of panel  18  also lie in this first plane. The bottommost faces of lowermost support member  240  of panels  18 ,  18 . 1  are spaced from and adjacent to this first plane. With such a spacing, bottommost support members  240  do not grab, or may minimally grab, and do not make contact with, or may make minimal contact with, a floor, or a carpet, or a rug, or the grass as panels  18  and  18 . 1  are rotated relative to each other such as when it is desired to change the shape of the gated barrier  10  from, for example, a playyard to, for example, a straight barrier. The bottommost faces of lowermost support member  240  of panels  18 ,  18 . 1  are coplanar with each other when set up with junction apparatus  20  disposed therebetween, such as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  3   . The bottommost faces of lowermost support member  240  of panels  18 ,  18 . 1  define a first plane and the bottommost faces of threshold portions  128 ,  43  define a second plane, with such first and second planes offset from each other when the gated barrier  10  is set up, such as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  3   . 
     One reason that such a relatively small six sided box may be employed is that the frame on both sides of the gate  16  can be broken down into the barrier frame first and second portions  12 ,  14 . A first step to assemble the gated barrier  10  in the form of a playyard shown in  FIG.  1    may be to connect the barrier frame first and second portions  12 ,  14  with the connection  24 . A second step may be to engage the gate  16  to the barrier frame first and second portions  12 ,  14  by engaging pin portion  148  with threshold portion  128  and by engaging pivot pin  398  with plastic piece  136 , hole  135  in bar  134 , and hole  396  in pin receiver or plug  388 . Further steps may not be necessary because panels  18  and  18 . 1  can lie back to back to each other as described above. However, if the panels  18  and  18 . 1  are to be assembled, such further steps include 1) engaging a first panel  18  to the barrier frame first portion  12  with a junction apparatus  20 , then 2) engaging a second panel  18 . 1  to the first panel  18  with a junction apparatus  20 , 3) then engaging a third panel  18  with the second panel  18 . 1  with a junction apparatus  20 , then 4) engaging a fourth panel  18 . 1  with the third panel  18  with a junction apparatus  20 , then 5) engaging a fifth panel  18  with the fourth panel  18 . 1  with a junction apparatus  20 , and then 6) engaging the barrier frame second portion  14  with the fifth panel  18  with a junction apparatus  20 . Such completes an endless playyard structure. 
     The endless playyard structure of  FIG.  1    may have three or more panels  18  and  18 . 1 . Where an odd number of panels  18  are desired for an endless playyard structure, no hybrid panels need to be prepared. Where an even number of panels  18  are desired, a panel  18 . 1  may be converted into a hybrid panel by taking off the upper end cap  184 /lower end cap  284  combination on one end of the panel  18 . 1  and replacing such with an upper end cap  252 /lower end cap  268  combination. 
     After the desired endless playyard structure has been assembled, gate  16  is opened by 1) depressing exterior button  56  and then sliding the latch apparatus  22  away from the inner end of horizontal support member  80  of barrier frame second portion  14  so the housing  50  clears the inner end of the horizontal support member  80 , then 2) swinging arms  42  of third lock  26  out-of-the-way of threshold portion  43 , then 3) swinging the gate  16  in either direction. Closing the gate  16  includes the steps of: 1) retracting the latch apparatus  22  such that the nose of the latch apparatus  22  is out-of-the-way of the inner end of the uppermost support member  80  of the barrier frame second portion  14 , then 2) swinging the gate  16  to be in the plane defined by the first and second barrier frame portions  12 ,  14 , then 3) sliding or extending the latch apparatus  22  such that the nose of the body  50  slides over and captures the inner end of the uppermost support member  80 , then 4) swinging the arms  42  of the third lock  26  downwardly to engage the threshold portion  43 . 
     Latch apparatus  22  does not include an automatic return. By a friction fit between housing  50  and horizontal support members  62  and  80 , housing  50  stays at the location to which it is slid until it is manually moved again. The only automatic feature of latch apparatus  22  is the snapping out of exterior button  56  by interior button  58  when housing opening  76  slides over interior button  58  which then snaps up into housing opening  76 . 
     To place or configure the gated barrier  10  in another form, such as the form shown in  FIG.  3   , a junction apparatus  20  between a panel  18 . 1  and a panel  18  is disassembled by rotating turning knob  298  until the upper joint having the end cap  252 /end cap  184  combination is taken apart, whereby the tubular post support member  30  of such junction apparatus  20  can be removed, whereby the lower joint having the end cap  268 /end cap  284  combination can be taken apart. Then junction apparatus  310  is assembled as described above using cap  314 , cap  316 , a pair of wall mounts  28 , and the original tubular post support member  30 . Then junction apparatus  312  is assembled as described above using cap  318 , cap  320 , a pair of wall mounts  28 , and a second tubular post support member  30 . 
     The form shown in  FIG.  3    can be configured into a number of forms, such as a long straight form. In such configuring, one or more junction apparatus  20  need not be taken apart. Such one or more junction apparatus  20  need merely be loosened by rotation somewhat of turning knob  298  such that teeth  192  of end cap  184  can rotate relative to teeth  260  of end cap  252 . When the desired angle between two adjacent panels  18  and  18 . 1  is attained, then the turning knob  298  can be tightened to tighten teeth  192  with teeth  260  to prevent rotation. As noted above, two adjacent panels  18  and  18 . 1  can be fixed at any angle, depending upon the fineness of the teeth  192 ,  260 , between zero degrees and 270 degrees. 
     Each of the junction portions of  FIGS.  23 A,  23 B,  23 C,  23 D, and  23 E  may be referred to as a unit having first and second portions, with the first portion being an end cap portion sharing an axis with tubular post support member  30 , and with a second portion being a horizontal support member engaging portion. 
     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.