Patent Publication Number: US-9890506-B2

Title: Barrier apparatus and methods of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and the priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/935,563, filed on Feb. 4, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to barriers, and more particularly, to versatile portable barriers for fencing in or closing off a designated area. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Barriers and/or fencing systems are used to block off a designated area and/or to delineate a pathway in various settings including, for example, airport security, shopping check-out lines, theme park lines, etc. Barriers can also be used to demarcate a perimeter of a crime scene, a scene of an accident or a job site and/or also include visual indicia to passersby. For a general description of an exemplary portable barrier apparatus and its component parts, reference can be made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,310, filed on Nov. 19, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     There is a need for improved systems and methods of delineating or blocking off selected areas. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a hand-held barrier apparatus is provided and includes a hand-held housing, a pliable longitudinal element, and a first connector. The longitudinal element has a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed within and rotatably coupled to the hand-held housing. The second end is retractably extendable from the hand-held housing and includes a first coupling member supported thereon. The first coupling member has a mating surface. The first connector is configured to be movably disposed on the longitudinal element. The first connector has a first mating surface configured for detachable connection with the mating surface of the first coupling member of the longitudinal element such that the longitudinal element forms a first loop upon detachable connection of the first connector with the first coupling member of the longitudinal element. 
     In some embodiments, the first connector may have a second mating surface, opposite the first mating surface of the first connector. The second mating surface of the first connector is configured for detachable connection with the mating surface of the first coupling member of the longitudinal element. The first and second mating surfaces of the first connector may each have a T-shaped transverse cross-section configuration. The mating surface of the first coupling member may define a longitudinally extending channel configured for slidable receipt of the first and second mating surfaces of the first connector. 
     It is contemplated that the first connector may include a central body defining a channel therethrough having the longitudinal element disposed therein. The first and second mating surfaces of the first connector may project from opposite sides of the central body. 
     It is envisioned that the first connector may be configured to detachably couple to the hand-held housing. 
     In some aspects, the hand-held barrier apparatus may further include a second coupling member and a second connector. The second coupling member may be disposed on the hand-held housing and have a mating surface. The second connector may be movably disposed on the longitudinal element and have a mating surface configured for detachable connection with the mating surface of the second coupling member of the hand-held housing. The longitudinal element forms a second loop upon detachable connection of the second connector with the second coupling member of the hand-held housing. 
     In some embodiments, the hand-held barrier apparatus may further include a hook connected to a side surface of the hand-held housing. The hand-held barrier apparatus may include a first hook and a second hook each pivotably connected to the side surface of the hand-held housing. 
     It is contemplated that the hand-held barrier apparatus may further include an anchoring member extendable from the hand-held housing and configured for penetrating a surface to fix the hand-held housing to the surface. 
     It is envisioned that the hand-held housing may have a side surface defining a cavity therein configured for removable receipt of a free-standing stanchion. 
     In some aspects, the longitudinal element may be approximately 150 feet in length. 
     In some embodiments, the hand-held housing may include a handle and a lock disposed adjacent the handle for locking the second end of the longitudinal element in a selected position relative to the hand-held housing. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of forming a barrier between vertically oriented base supports is provided. The method includes providing the hand-held barrier apparatus disclosed herein. The longitudinal element is wrapped around at least two vertically oriented base supports. The mating surface of the first coupling member is connected to the first mating surface of the first connector to form a loop around the at least two vertically oriented base supports. The first connector is moved along the longitudinal element into engagement with one of the at least two vertically oriented base supports to form a barrier between the at least two vertically oriented base supports. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include detachably coupling the hand-held housing to the first connector. 
     It is contemplated that the longitudinal element may be further extended from the hand-held housing and the hand-held housing may be wrapped around another vertically oriented base support. The mating surface of the second coupling member of the hand-held housing may be connected to the mating surface of the second connector to form a loop around the another vertically oriented base support. The second connector may be moved along the longitudinal element into engagement with the another vertically oriented base support to form a barrier between the another vertically oriented base support and one of the at least two vertically oriented base supports. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear, perspective view of one embodiment of a hand-held barrier apparatus illustrating a longitudinal element of the barrier apparatus disposed within a hand-held housing of the barrier apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a front, perspective view of the barrier apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  with the longitudinal element extended from the hand-held housing; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, cutaway view of the longitudinal element of the barrier apparatus including a first coupling member coupled to a first connector to form a loop; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, cutaway view of the longitudinal element including a second connector disposed thereon; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a barrier system including a stanchion adapter, a portable spool head, and a stanchion, in accordance with further principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of components of the barrier system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the portable spool head of the barrier system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top, perspective view of the stanchion adapter of the barrier system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an underneath view of the stanchion adapter of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged, underneath view of the stanchion adapter of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments of the barrier apparatus, barrier system and related methods of use disclosed are described in terms of barriers, and more particularly, in terms of a hand-held barrier apparatus designed for fencing in or closing off a designated area or areas. 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily “superior” and “inferior”. 
     The components disclosed herein can be fabricated from metals, magnetic materials, synthetic polymers, and ceramics. The components disclosed herein, individually or collectively, may also be fabricated from materials such as plastic, nylon, stainless steel alloys, aluminum, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, Grade 5 titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chrome alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metallic alloys (e.g., Nitinol, super elasto-plastic metals, such as GUM METAL® manufactured by Toyota Material Incorporated of Japan), ceramics and composites thereof such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE™ manufactured by Biologix Inc.), thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaSO4 polymeric rubbers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymeric rubbers, polyolefin rubbers, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers, elastomeric composites, rigid polymers including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy. Various components disclosed herein may have material composites, including the above materials, to achieve various desired characteristics such as strength, rigidity, elasticity, compliance, and durability. The components disclosed herein, individually or collectively, may also be fabricated from a heterogeneous material such as a combination of two or more of the above-described materials. The components disclosed herein may be monolithically formed, integrally connected or include fastening elements and/or instruments, as described herein. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an embodiment of a hand-held barrier apparatus  100  for forming a barrier between surfaces is provided. Barrier apparatus  100  generally includes a hand-held housing  102 , a pliable longitudinal element  130 , and a first connector  140 . Hand-held housing  102  is sized and configured to be detachably coupled to a waist of a user and held in a user&#39;s hands. Hand-held housing  102  has a generally oblong, semi-circular shape. In particular, hand-held housing  102  has first and second opposing lateral side surfaces  104   a,    104   b,  a base surface  106 , and an arcuate intermediate surface  107  that interconnects first and second lateral side surfaces  104   a,    104   b.    
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , hand-held housing  102  includes a pair of hooks  112   a,    112   b  that are pivotably connected to lateral side surface  104   a.  Hooks  112   a,    112   b  can be pivoted relative to hand-held housing  102  from a first condition, in which hooks  112   a,    112   b  are coplanar with lateral side surface  104   b,  and a second condition, in which hooks  112   a,    112   b  extend from lateral side surface  104   b.  In the second condition, hooks  112   a,    112   b  may be attached or latched onto a fixture, such as, for example, a chain link fence to hang barrier apparatus  100  thereon. Lateral side surface  104   a  defines a cavity  114  therein configured for removable retention of an end of a free-standing stanchion (not shown). 
     Hand-held housing  102  may further include an anchoring or penetrating member  116 , such as, for example, a spike, configured for penetrating a surface, such as, for example, soft ground or a tree, to fix or anchor hand-held housing  102  with the surface. Penetrating member  116  is operably coupled to base  106  of hand-held housing  102  and extendable therefrom. In particular, penetrating member  116  may be folded out from base  106  to an extended state in which penetrating member  116  is perpendicular to base  106 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , intermediate side surface  107  of hand-held housing  102  defines a horizontal slit  118  therein from which longitudinal element  130  extends. Intermediate side surface  107  has a mating feature  120  that surrounds horizontal slit  118  and extends from intermediate side surface  107 . Mating feature  120  of hand-held housing  102  is configured to be detachably connected to a central body  144  of first connector  140  to secure first connector  140  to hand-held housing  102 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     Hand-held housing  102  may further include a coupling member  128  disposed on intermediate side surface  107 . Coupling member  128  has a mating surface  129  configured to be detachably coupled to a connector  150  ( FIG. 4 ) disposed on longitudinal element  130 . Coupling member  128  and connector  150  ( FIG. 4 ) are similar to first coupling member  134  and first connector  140 , respectively, which will be described in detail below. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , hand-held housing  102  further includes a handle portion  122  extending from a top portion of intermediate side surface  107  of hand-held housing  102 . Handle portion  122  has an ergonomic gripping portion  124  to be gripped by a user&#39;s hand. Hand-held housing  102  has a thumb lock  126  disposed adjacent handle portion  122  and in operative association with longitudinal element  130  to selectively lock longitudinal element  130  in a selected, extended position relative to hand-held housing  102 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , longitudinal element  130  of barrier apparatus  100  can be in the form of a ribbon, belt, tape, tether, or rope, and can be fabricated from various materials, such as, for example, nylon, polyester fabric or any suitably pliable or bendable material. In embodiments, longitudinal element  130  may be approximately between 100-200 feet in length. In some embodiments, longitudinal element  130  may have a fully extended length of approximately 150 feet. 
     Longitudinal element  130  has a first end  132   a  and a second end  132   b.  First end  132   a  is coupled to a spindle (not shown) rotatably disposed within hand-held housing  102  such that first end  132   a  is rotatable within hand-held housing  102 . A rewind tension spring (not shown) is disposed within hand-held housing  102  and in engagement with the spindle to resiliently bias the spindle toward a wound condition. For a general description of the operation of a rewind tension spring, reference can be made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/085,863, filed on Nov. 21, 2013, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,310, filed on Nov. 19, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     Second end  132   b  of longitudinal element  130  is retractably extendable from hand-held housing  102 . Second end  132   b  of longitudinal element  130  includes a first coupling member  134  supported thereon. Coupling member  134  has a mating surface  136  in the form of a c-clip. Mating surface  136  defines a longitudinally extending channel  138  configured for slidable receipt of a correspondingly shaped mating surface  146   a  or  146   b  of first connector  140 , as will be described in greater detail below. Mating surface  136  of coupling member  134  captures or retains first connector  140  in channel  138  to detachably couple second end  132   b  of longitudinal element  130  with first connector  140 . 
     First connector  140  of barrier apparatus  100  is configured for movable, slidable, or translatable connection to longitudinal element  130  such that first connector  140  can be moved along a length of longitudinal element  130  to a selected position on longitudinal element  130  between hand-held housing  102  and first coupling member  134  of longitudinal element  130 . It is contemplated that first connector  140  may be configured to be selectively adjustable between a first condition, in which first connector  140  is slidable along longitudinal element  130 , and a second condition, in which first connector  140  is fixed relative to longitudinal element  130 . It is further contemplated that first connector  140  is frictionally engaged to longitudinal element  130  such that a threshold amount of force is required to move first connector  140  along longitudinal element  130 . 
     First connector  140  includes a central body  144 , a first mating surface  146   a,  and a second mating surface  146   b.  Central body  144  is tubular and has an oblong configuration. Central body  144  defines a channel  148  therethrough having longitudinal element  130  slidably received therein. In some embodiments, central body  144  may assume a variety of configurations, such as, for example, circular, squared, or the like. First and second mating surfaces  146   a,    146   b  of first connector  140  are each configured for detachable connection with mating surface  136  of first coupling member  134  of longitudinal element  130 . Longitudinal element  130  may be formed into a loop upon the detachable connection of connector  140  with first coupling member  134 . 
     First mating surface  146   a  of first connector  140  projects from a first side of central body  144  and second mating surface  146   b  of first connector  140  projects from a second side of central body  144 , opposite the first side of central body  144 . First and second mating surfaces  146   a,    146   b  of first connector  140  each have a T-shaped transverse cross section configuration corresponding to a cross-section of channel  138  of first coupling member  134  of longitudinal element  130 . In some embodiments, first and second mating surfaces  146   a,    146   b  of first connector  140  may assume a variety of configurations in which first and second mating surfaces  146   a,    146   b  are slidably receivable within channel  138  of first coupling member  134  and captured therein. It is contemplated that either of mating surfaces  146   a,    146   b  may be connected to a mating surface of another component of barrier apparatus  100  or another barrier apparatus. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, barrier apparatus  100  may include a second connector  150 , similar to first connector  140  described above, configured for movable connection to longitudinal element  130 . Second connector  150  is disposed along longitudinal element  130  in a position closer to hand-held housing  102  than is first connector  140 . Second connector  150  has a mating surface  152  configured for detachable connection with mating surface  129  ( FIG. 2 ) of second coupling member  128  ( FIG. 2 ) disposed on hand-held housing  102 . Longitudinal element  130  forms a loop upon detachable connection of second coupling member  128  of hand-held housing  102  with second connector  150 . As such, a first loop may be formed by connecting first coupling member with first connector, and a second loop may be formed by connecting second coupling member with second connector. 
     In use, a barrier may be formed between two vertically oriented base supports (not shown) spaced from one another. To accomplish this, a user applies a force, oriented in a direction away from hand-held housing  102 , to second end  132   b  of longitudinal element  130  to extend longitudinal element  130  from hand-held housing  102 . Upon extending longitudinal element  130  to a selected distance from hand-held housing  102 , longitudinal element  130  may be wrapped around the two base supports. Mating surface  136  of first coupling member  134  of longitudinal element  130  is connected with mating surface  146   b  of first connector  140  to form a loop around the base supports. To fix the loop at a desired height on the two base supports, longitudinal element  130  is simultaneously retracted as first connector  140  is moved along longitudinal element  130  into engagement with a first of the two base supports to tighten longitudinal element  130  around the first and a second of the base supports. Thus, a barrier is formed between the first and second base supports. 
     Upon forming a tight fit around the base supports, mating feature  120  ( FIG. 2 ) of hand-held housing  102  may be connected to central body  144  of first connector  140 . Alternately, a force may be applied to hand-held housing  102  to further extend longitudinal element  130  from hand-held housing  102  and to distance hand-held housing  102  from first connector  140  of longitudinal element  130  and the first base support. Hand-held housing  102  may be wrapped around a third vertically oriented base support, which is distanced from the first and second base supports. Mating surface  129  ( FIG. 2 ) of second coupling member  128  ( FIG. 2 ) of hand-held housing  102  may be connected to mating surface  152  ( FIG. 4 ) of second connector  150  disposed on longitudinal element  130  to form a loop around the third vertically oriented base support. Upon forming a loop around the third base support, second connector  150  may be moved along longitudinal element  130  into engagement with the third base support to form a barrier between the first and third base supports. As such, barrier apparatus  100  may form a first barrier between the first and second base supports, and a second barrier between the first and third base supports. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-10 , an embodiment of a barrier system  200  is provided. Barrier system  200  includes a barrier apparatus or spool head  300  for forming a barrier between surfaces, a stanchion  400 , and an adapter  500  for coupling spool head  300  and stanchion  400 , as will be described in detail below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , stanchion  400  of barrier system  200  has a base portion  402 , an elongate shaft or tube  404 , and a top portion or head  406 . Base portion  402  has a planar configuration to provide stability for stanchion  400  when stanchion  400  is resting on the ground in its intended vertical orientation. Elongate shaft  404  extends upwardly from base portion  402  in a perpendicular orientation relative to base portion  402 , and has a height of approximately 3-5 feet. In some embodiments, elongate shaft  404  may be any suitable height and may have an adjustable height by being comprised of a series of telescoping tubes. Head  406  of stanchion  400  is supported on elongate shaft  404  and may be detachable from elongate shaft  404 . Head  406  is configured for disposal and retention in a channel  512  of a stanchion connector  510  of adapter  500 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , spool head  300  of barrier system  200  generally includes a spool housing  310  and a pliable longitudinal element  330  retractably extendable from spool housing  310 . Spool head  300  further includes a spool (not shown) rotatably disposed within spool housing  310  and a rewind tension spring (not shown) in engagement with the spool to resiliently bias the spool toward a wound condition. Spool housing  310  defines a longitudinal axis “Y” extending between a top portion or head  312   a  thereof and a bottom portion or base  312   b  thereof. Top portion  312   a  of spool housing  310  has a cylindrical configuration. Top portion  312   a  has an outer surface  314  and a plurality of mounting members  316  projecting from outer surface  314 . Mounting members  316  each have a length that extends parallel to longitudinal axis “Y” of spool housing  310 . Mounting members  316  have a T-shaped transverse cross-section configuration corresponding to a mating surface  336  of a coupling member  334  of longitudinal element  330 . As such, coupling members from various longitudinal elements (e.g., ropes, belts, banners, ribbons, or other barriers) can be coupled to mounting members  316  of spool housing  310  at various circumferential locations along spool housing  310 . 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 7 , bottom portion  312   b  of spool housing  310  extends from top portion  312   a.  Bottom portion  312   b  may have a cylindrical configuration having a smaller diameter than a diameter of top portion  312   a  such that top portion  312   a  has a seating surface configured to abut a platform  528  ( FIG. 8 ) of spool head housing  520  of adapter  500 , as will be described in greater detail below. Bottom portion  312   b  of spool housing  310  includes a pair of push pin locks  335  configured to be detachably locked to corresponding mating features of stanchion  400 , adapter  500 , and/or a wall mount (not shown), as will be described in greater detail below. 
     Longitudinal element  330  of spool head  300  is disposable within spool housing  310 . Longitudinal element  330  has a first end (not shown) and a second end  332 . The first end is coupled to the spool (not shown) and wrapped thereabout. Second end  332  of longitudinal element  330  has a coupling member  334 , similar to coupling member  134  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , supported thereon. Coupling member  334  has a mating feature  336  configured for removably receipt of mounting members  316  of spool housing  310 . In use, as a force is applied to second end  332  of longitudinal element  330  in a direction oriented perpendicular to longitudinal axis “Y” of spool housing  310 , the spool disposed within spool housing  310  rotates to extend second end  332  of longitudinal element  330  from spool housing  310 . With longitudinal element  330  in the extended state, mating feature  336  of coupling member  334  of longitudinal element  330  can be mounted or coupled to one of mounting members  316  of spool housing  310  to form a loop. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5-10 , adapter  500  of barrier system  200  is configured to detachably couple spool head  300  with stanchion  400 . It is contemplated that adapter  500  can be made of a crush-proof material. Adapter  500  includes a first portion or stanchion connector  510  configured for receipt of stanchion head  406 , and a second portion or spool head housing  520  configured for receipt of spool head  300 . Adapter  500  includes a bridge  502  interconnecting stanchion connector  510  of adapter  500  to spool head housing  520  of adapter  500 . In some embodiments, connector  510  and housing  520  may be integrally connected to, or monolithically formed with, one another. 
     Stanchion connector  510  of adapter  500  includes a wall  504  having a cylindrical configuration. Wall  504  defines a channel  512  therethrough configured to receive head  406  of stanchion  400 . Stanchion connector  510  may be in the form of a C-clip configured to capture an outer surface of head  406  of stanchion  400  such that adapter  500  is configured for snap-fitting engagement with stanchion  400 . It is contemplated that stanchion connector  510  is fabricated from a material capable of flexing to increase a diameter of wall  504  thereof to enhance the frictional engagement between stanchion connector  510  of adapter  500  and stanchion head  406 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , stanchion connector  510  of adapter  500  has a plurality of mating surfaces  516  projecting from an outer surface of wall  504 . Mating surfaces  516  of stanchion connector  510  are configured for connection to a corresponding mating feature, such as, for example, mating surface  336  of coupling member  334  of spool head  300  or mating surface  136  of coupling member  134  of longitudinal element  130  of barrier apparatus  100  ( FIGS. 1-4 ). 
     Spool head housing  520  of adapter  500  includes a cylindrical wall  524  that defines a cavity  522  therein configured for disposal of a spool head, such as, for example, spool head  300 . Wall  524  of spool head housing  520  defines a slot or slit  526  that extends longitudinally along wall  524 . Slot  526  is in communication with cavity  522  and configured for sliding disposal of longitudinal element  330  of spool head  300 . Spool head housing  520  has a ring-shaped platform  528  formed within cavity  522 , below slot  526  of wall  524 , configured to act as a resting surface for top portion  312   a  of spool head  300 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , spool head housing  520  further includes a tubular extension  530  extending downwardly from platform  528  to define a counterbore  531  ( FIG. 8 ). Extension  530  has a top end connected to platform  528  and a bottom end  534  defining an opening  536  configured for disposal of push pin locks  335  of bottom portion  312   b  of spool head  300 . As such, upon full receipt of spool head  300  within cavity  522  of spool head housing  522  of adapter  500 , push pin locks  335  of bottom portion  312   b  of spool head  300  extend radially outward into openings  536  of tubular extension  530  to selectively lock spool head  300  to adapter  500 . 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.