Patent Abstract:
A webbing connector comprises first and second inter-engageable components ( 44, 46 ) and connecting means ( 58 ) co-operable with the components ( 44, 46 ) to secure the components ( 44, 46 ) to one another. The connecting means may comprise a connecting pin.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field 
   This invention relates to a connector suitable for use in a webbing arrangement, for example suitable for use in a retractable barrier. Although suitable for use in a retractable barrier, the connector and the webbing arrangement may also be suitable for use in a number of other applications, for example in seat belts, for example for use in vehicles or in load or ratchet straps. 
   2. Background Information 
   Retractable barriers are used in a number of applications in which it is desired, sometimes, to provide a barrier. By way of example, retractable barriers are often used in supermarkets to prevent the passage of customers or shopping trolleys past check-outs which are not in use. They are also sometimes used to define passageways for the purposes of queue management. 
   This invention relates to a connector suitable for use in a webbing arrangement, for example suitable for use in a retractable barrier. Although suitable for use in a retractable barrier, the connector and the webbing arrangement may also be suitable for use in a number of other applications, for example in seat belts, for example for use in vehicles or in load or ratchet straps. 
   Retractable barriers are used in a number of applications in which it is desired, sometimes, to provide a barrier. By way of example, retractable barriers are often used in supermarkets to prevent the passage of customers or shopping trolleys past check-outs which are not in use. They are also sometimes used to define passageways for the purposes of queue management. 
   Typically, a retractable barrier comprises a housing containing a spool upon which a length of webbing is wound. A free end of the webbing is provided with part of a catch mechanism, for example part of a magnetic catch. A spring is provided within the housing to bias the spool towards a position in which the webbing is wound onto the spool. 
   In use, the housing is mounted in a suitable position, for example at a check-out, or on a pole. When the barrier is to be used, the free end of the webbing is pulled to remove a length of the webbing from the housing causing the spool to rotate against the action of the spring biassing, and the part of the catch mechanism carried by the webbing is secured to the remainder of the catch mechanism which is mounted, for example, on part of an adjacent check-out or on another pole. The spring biassing of the spool applies a sufficient tension to the webbing to hold the webbing tight, and to ensure that upon release of the catch mechanism the webbing is retracted into the housing. 
   Once a barrier of this type has been installed for some time, the webbing thereof may become marked or begin to look worn. In order to replace the webbing, the housing must be removed and opened, the webbing removed from the spool and a new length of webbing introduced. This is a complex and time-consuming operation. In some applications, the webbing carries markings, for example printed messages or logos. If it is desired to replace the markings or logos then, again, the housing must be removed and dismantled. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a webbing arrangement comprising a first length of webbing, and a second length of webbing connected to the first length of webbing. 
   According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a webbing arrangement comprising a first length of webbing, and a second length of webbing connected to the first length of webbing. 
   The lengths of webbing may be connected to one another by a semi-permanent connection. Preferably, however, a releasable, re-securable fastening is provided to secure the first and second lengths of webbing to one another. The releasable, re-securable fastening may comprise, for example press-studs/poppers, zips, velcro, hooks and eyes, buckles, pins, clamps, screws, nuts and bolts, etc. One particularly suitable fastener device comprises first and second inter-engageable components secured, respectively, to the first and second lengths of webbing, and a connecting pin to secure the first and second components to one another. 
   The webbing arrangement may be used in, for example, a retractable barrier, a seat belt or a luggage, cargo or ratchet strap. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a retractable barrier comprising a housing, a spring biassed spool rotatable within the housing, a length of webbing, and a flexible connection member to which the length of webbing is connected thereby connecting the length of webbing to the spool, the flexible connection member being of sufficient length that when the webbing is fully unwound from the spool, the connection between the flexible connection member and the webbing is located outside of the housing. 
   It will be appreciated that replacement of the webbing can be undertaken without removing and dismantling the housing, and hence replacement of the webbing is simplified. 
   The flexible connection member conveniently comprises a second length of webbing. 
   The connection between the connection member and the length of webbing may be of semi-permanent nature, for example the connection member and the length of webbing may be secured to one another using adhesive, rivets, tape, sewing or staples. Preferably, however, a releasable, re-securable fastening may be used. It will be appreciated that a wide range of fastenings could be used, for example press-studs/poppers, zips, velcro, hooks and eyes, buckles, pins, clamps, screws, nuts and bolts, etc. One particularly suitable fastener device comprises first and second inter-engageable components secured, respectively, to the length of webbing and the connection member, and a connecting pin to secure the first and second components to one another. 
   According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a connector comprising first and second inter-engageable components securable, in use, to a connection member and a length of webbing, respectively, and a connecting pin co-operable with the first and second inter-engageable components to secure the inter-entageable components to one another. 
   The first and second inter-engageable components each conveniently define a plurality of spaced teeth, at least some of the teeth of one of the components being receivable between at least some of the teeth of the other of the components. The teeth conveniently define a passage, in use, within which the connecting pin is receivable. A detent arrangement is conveniently provided to resist removal of the connecting pin. The detent arrangement may comprise a series of small projections provided on the connecting pin and receivable, in use, in corresponding recesses provided in the first and/or second inter-engageable components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are sectional views illustrating a retractable barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a view of part of the barrier; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view along the Line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a view of one component of the barrier. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are front and rear views of one component of a connector; 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are front and rear views of another component of the connector; 
       FIG. 10  is a view of a third component of the connector; and 
       FIG. 11  is a view of the connector of  FIGS. 6 to 10  in assembled form. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring firstly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a retractable barrier is shown which comprises a housing  10 , typically of steel or plastics construction, within which a spindle  12  is mounted. A spool  14  is rotatably mounted upon the spindle  12 . The spool  14  is of moulded plastics form and defines a cavity  16  within which a coiled spring  18  is located, one end of the spring  18  being secured to the spindle  12  and the other end to the spool  14 . 
   A length of webbing  20  is wound upon the spool  14 , the length of webbing  20  having a free end  22  which projects through a slot  24  provided in the housing  10  and to which a magnetic part  26  of a magnetic catch is secured. Although a magnetic catch is shown, it will be appreciated that a number of other devices could be used. 
   The end of the length of webbing  20  opposite the free end  22  is not secured directly to the spool  14  but rather is attached to a flexible connection member in the form of a second length of webbing  28  which, in turn, is secured to the spool  14 . The second length of webbing  28  is of length sufficient to permit the connection between the lengths of webbing  20 ,  28  to pass through the slot  24  and out of the housing  10 . 
   The second length of webbing  28  is secured to the spool  14  using any suitable technique, for example by means of adhesive, by clamping, rivetting, etc. 
   The first and second lengths of webbing  20 ,  28  may be secured to one another by a range of techniques. For example, they may be sewn to one another, adhered to one another using a suitable adhesive, stapled or rivetted to one another. It will be appreciated that these fastening techniques are all of a semi-permanent nature and hence that a significant amount of work may be needed if it is desired to remove and replace the first length of webbing  20 . However, the task is simplified compared to existing arrangements as there is no longer the need to disassemble the housing, unlike existing devices. 
   Rather than use a semi-permanent connection, a releasible fastening may be used. 
   Examples of suitable releasable fasteners include zips, hooks and eyes, press studs/poppers, velcro, clamping devices, buckles or the like. One preferred fastening is shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 . 
   The fastening of  FIGS. 3 to 5  comprises first and second components  30 ,  32 , each of which is provided with a slot  34  through which the associated webbing is passed and secured, for example by stitching  36 . The components  30 ,  32  each include a plurality of spaced knuckles  38 , the spaces between the knuckles  38  being dimensioned to receive the knuckles  38  of the other of the components  30 ,  32 . The knuckles  38  are shaped so as to define a passage  40 , when in engagement with one another, through which a pin  42  extends to secure the components  30 , 32  and hence the lengths of webbing  20 ,  28 , to one another. The components  30 ,  32  are of dimensions capable of passing through the slot  24  and being wound upon the spool  14 . 
   To facilitate moulding of the components  30 ,  32  each of the knuckles  38  is in two-part form including a first part  38   a  defining one side of part of the passage  40 , and a second part  38   b  defining the other side of part of the passage  40 , the first and second parts  38   a ,  38   b  being axially spaced from one another. As a result of this design, when assembled a series of openings are formed through which the pin  42  is exposed. 
   As well as facilitating moulding, this design permits the pin  42  to be provided with radially extending protrusions  42   a  which are located to extend into the openings formed between the knuckle parts to secure the pin  42  against axial movement, thus reducing the risk of the pin  42  falling out of the passage  40 , in use. 
   An alternative connector is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 to 11  and comprises a first component  44  intended to be secured, in use, to the second length of webbing, and a second component  46  intended to be secured, in use, to the first length of webbing. The first and second components  44 ,  46  may be manufactured by injection moulding of a suitable flexible plastics material. Each component  44 ,  46  is shaped to define a pair of flanges  48  interconnected by a plurality of spaced teeth  50 . At the point where the teeth  50  meet one of the flanges  48 , projections  52  are provided, the projections  52  being locatable within recesses  54  formed at the point where the teeth  50  meet the other one of the flanges  48 , upon each component  44 ,  46  being bent or folded about a line passing through the centre of each of the teeth  50 . 
   The flanges  48  are each formed with openings  56  which, when the components  44 ,  46  are folded as mentioned above, generally align with one another and through which rivets can pass to secure the components  44 ,  46  to their respective lengths of webbing. If desired, the openings  56  may be positioned to pull the components  44 ,  46  into a slightly curved configuration. 
   The teeth  50  are positioned such that each tooth  50  of one of the components  44 ,  46  can be received between two adjacent ones of the teeth  50  of the other of the components  44 ,  46 . Each tooth  50  is shaped to define, when folded, an opening. When the components  44 ,  46  are located adjacent one another with the teeth  50  inter-engaging, the openings align with one another to form a passage into which a third component in the form of a connecting pin  58  can be inserted to secure the first and second components  44 ,  46  to one another. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the pin  58  is provided with a series of small projections  60 . The projections  60  are provided on two opposing sides of the pin  58  and are arranged in an alternating pattern. The projections  60  are receivable in recesses  62  provided in the components  44 ,  46 , the location of the projections  60  in the recesses serving to restrict or resist accidental or unintentional removal of the pin  58  from the passage. 
   The assembled connector can be of flexible form, both by virtue of the material used in the manufacture thereof and also because the design of the connector allows a degree of articulation between the components  44 ,  46 . The connector is further advantageous in that it is thin and thus can pass, in use, into the housing to be wound on to the spool. 
   In use, the housing  10  is secured, for example, to or within a part of a supermarket check-out. When the barrier is to be used, the webbing  20  is withdrawn from the housing  10  and the magnetic part  26  is secured to a component mounted upon part of an adjacent check-out. The action of moving the magnetic part  26  and pulling on the webbing  20  draws the webbing  20  from the spool  14 , the spool  14  rotating and thus stressing the spring  18 . Upon releasing the magnetic part  26  from the adjacent check-out, to remove the barrier, the spring  18  causes the spool  14  to rotate, retracting the webbing  20  into the housing  10 . The length of the webbing  20  is chosen so that in normal use, the second length of webbing  28  remains completely within the housing  10 . However, if it is desired to replace the first length of webbing  20 , the webbing  20  is completely withdrawn from the housing  10 , exposing the connection with the second length of webbing  28 . The connection can then be released and a new, replacement length of webbing secured to the second length of webbing  28 . The lengths of webbing can then be retracted into the housing  10  in the usual manner. 
   Conveniently, the second length of webbing  28  can be brightly coloured or marked in such a manner as to make it obvious that a point is being approached beyond which no further withdrawal of the webbing is possible. As a result, the risk of damage caused by attempting to continue to withdraw webbing from the housing when this is not possible is reduced. 
   Although one use of the invention is to allow replacement of lengths of webbing, a similar releasable coupling may be provided adjacent the free end  22  of the webbing  20  to allow replacement of the magnetic part  26 , for example by an alterative securing device. The releasable coupling may also be used to allow the introduction of an additional length of webbing or to allow the replacement of a relatively short webbing with a longer length. When the length of the webbing is changed, it will be appreciated that the design of the housing, spool and/or spring may be such that complete retraction of the webbing is not possible. 
   The description and drawings herein are of a device intended to be mounted upon a supermarket check-out. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also suitable for use in other applications, for example in pole mounted devices for use as, for example, queue management systems. Other applications are also possible, for example the invention may also be used in seat belts, for example retractable seat belts for use in vehicles, or in luggage straps or load or ratchet straps, for example for use in securing loads in position on or in lorries or the like. It will be appreciated that in some of these applications different materials may be needed to achieve the desired mechanical properties. It will further be appreciated that a number of modifications can be made to the device within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4