Abstract:
A privacy barrier apparatus for a balcony includes a slide column configured to be connected to and supported by a structure. The apparatus includes a barrier assembly slidably connected to the slide column. The barrier assembly is linearly movably relative to the slide column between a retracted position and an extended position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to balconies and, more particularly, to an extendable privacy barrier for a balcony. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many housing units such as apartments, hotels, condominiums, townhouses, and the like have balcony areas that are immediately adjacent to other nearby units. Such balconies not only offer a great view of the surrounding neighborhood, an increase in living space, and a connection to the outdoor world, but they offer a great place to congregate with others. 
     Unfortunately, their proximity to other balconies, with only a railing separating them in some cases, means that privacy is non-existent. Users may find themselves literally standing inches from a neighbor who may be using their balcony at the same time. Even if the neighbor is not outside, a direct view in and out of their window or door is possible. While permanent partitions can be built, they will greatly reduce visibility for inside occupants, thus resulting in an effect of “tunnel vision”. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which adjacent balconies on housing units can be provided with privacy as needed in order to address the problems as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a privacy shade for a balcony. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to fulfill this need. 
     In one (1) embodiment, the disclosed privacy barrier apparatus for a balcony includes a slide column configured to be connected to and supported by a structure. The apparatus includes a barrier assembly slidably connected to the slide column. The barrier assembly is linearly movably relative to the slide column between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed privacy barrier apparatus for a balcony includes a slide column configured to be connected to and supported by a vertical structure. The slide column includes a hollow body including an open first end and an opposed open second end, a channel extending through the body, the channel extending from the first end to the second end, a first roller disposed within the channel at the first end, a second roller disposed within the channel at the second end, and a locking mechanism disposed at least one (1) of the first end and the second end. The apparatus includes a barrier assembly slidably connected within the channel of the slide column. The barrier assembly includes an exterior framework including a top, a bottom opposite said top, a first side, and a second side opposite said first side defining an interior, a panel connected within the interior of the framework, a first handle connected to the first side of the framework, and a second handle connected to the second side of the framework. The barrier assembly is linearly movable through the channel to a plurality of linear positions relative to the slide column between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The first roller engages the top of the framework when the barrier assembly is linearly moved within the channel. The second roller engages the bottom of the framework when the barrier assembly is linearly moved within the channel. The locking mechanism engages the framework for locking the barrier assembly at a selected linear position of the plurality of linear positions. The first handle limits linear movement of the barrier assembly to the fully extended position. The second handle limits linear movement of the barrier assembly to the fully retracted position. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of one embodiment of the disclosed privacy barrier for a balcony; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of the slide column of the privacy barrier; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a perspective view of the barrier assembly of the privacy barrier; 
         FIG. 2 c    is an exploded view of the slide column and the extension column of the privacy barrier; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the privacy barrier taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the locking mechanism of the privacy barrier. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  privacy barrier 
               30  barrier assembly 
               40  slide column 
               50  extension column 
               60  channel 
               70  aperture 
               80  cap 
               90  inserting feature 
               100  framework 
               110  panel 
               120  handle 
               130  locking mechanism 
               140  pin 
               141  lock bolt/knob 
               180  detent 
               210  roller 
               300  balcony 
               305  railing 
               310  wall structure 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a one (1) or more of the disclosed embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. 
     Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and that the example configurations shown and described herein are for the purpose of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation. 
     As used herein, the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1), as well as a plurality of, the referenced items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used as labels to describe various elements, features, and/or components, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the referenced items, unless other indicated. For example, such terms may be used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. 
     As used herein, relative terms such as “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, or “vertical” are used to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature and/or region to another element, feature and/or region as illustrated in the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , disclosing a privacy barrier for a balcony (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The apparatus  10  includes a slide column  40  that supports a barrier assembly  30  that is extended and retracted to provide a desired level of privacy, for example to a balcony area. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  is illustrated being affixed to a wall structure  310  being adjacent to an outdoor balcony, thereby providing visual privacy; however, it is understood that the apparatus  10  is not limited to the illustrated application and may be mounted to various structures and/or railings  305  to provide a visual barrier between tenants, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     In the event a person or multiple people occupy the balcony  300  and desire a greater level of privacy, the barrier assembly  30  of the apparatus  10  extends outward, for example, approximately twenty inches (20 in.), from the slide column  40  and is locked in place. The apparatus  10  is envisioned being removably attached to the railing  305  using clamps, brackets, and/or fasteners, which correspond to features of the wall structure  310  and/or railing  305 . 
     A pair of apparatuses  10  is envisioned being used in the case of adjacent tenants on each side of the balcony  300 . The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be introduced having barrier assemblies  30  in various widths and heights to suit various installations and a desired degree of privacy desired. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be introduced in coordinated colors to match or contrast other building features such as trim color, wall color, railings, window trim, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b , and 2 c   , the slide column  40  includes a central longitudinal channel  60  extending therethrough, being sized for snug insertion of the barrier assembly  30 , which may be selectively extended. The slide column  40  is envisioned to be stationarily attached to a portion of the balcony  300  such as, but not limited to, a wall structure  310 , a railing  305 , and/or other structural features. The barrier assembly  30  is slidably extended or retracted through the channel  60  of the slide column  40  to provide a desired level of privacy. 
     The apparatus  10  provides a means of being extended via inserted connection of an extension column  50  to an end of the slide column  40 . The slide column  40  supports the barrier assembly  30 , whereas the extension column  50  acts to extend a length of the slide column  40  in a linear manner to enable subjacent attachment to the railing  305  or other structural feature of the balcony  300 . 
     The channel  60  of the slide column  40  provides a vertical height suitable to slidably receive and support the barrier assembly  30 , enabling movement of the barrier assembly  30  from a retracted position to an extended position. The slide column  40  is also provided with a plurality of apertures  70  along side surfaces, through which fasteners may be inserted, to mount the slide column  40  to a wall structure  310  or similar portion of the balcony  300 . 
     The slide column  40  is preferably attached using lag bolts; however, it is understood that other fasteners may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the present disclosure, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     Each distal end of the slide column  40  is provided with a decorative cap  80  to cover, conceal, and protect internal portions of the hollow slide column  40 . The caps  80  are removable and preferably attach to each opposing end of the slide column  40  using an interference fit or may utilize fasteners (e.g., screws) if desired. The hollow slide column  40  is sized and shaped to slidably receive an inserting feature  90  being integrally-molded along an end of the extension column  50 . 
     The extension column  50  includes an elongated rigid structure, complimenting the cross-section profile of the slide column  40 . The inserting feature  90  includes a stepped-down-shape to enable it to be slidably inserted into either end of the slide column  40  upon removal of a respective cap  80 . 
     It is envisioned that a user may attach the slide column  40  to the extension column  50  to provide additional rigidity using at least one (1) fastener, if desired. 
     The extension column  50  acts as an extension of the slide column  40 , thereby enabling attachment of the apparatus  10  to the railing  305  of the balcony  300  via additional apertures  70  of the extension column  50  and is envisioned being mounted using straight or “L”-shaped brackets and fasteners (not shown), as required. However, it is understood that other methods to mount the apparatus  10  may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the present disclosure and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     The barrier assembly  30  includes a framework  100  encompassing and securing a panel  110  therewithin. The framework  100  includes a parallelogram shape being suitably sized so as to be slidably inserted into and capable of traversing the channel  60 . The panel  110  includes a planar member exhibiting optical properties that provide a translucent or an opaque barrier such as, but not limited to, frosted glass, fiberglass, plastic, sheet metal, or the like. 
     Opposing forward-facing and rearward-facing surfaces of the framework  100  include respective handles  120 . The handles  120  preferably include “U”-shaped appendages having outwardly angled side portions or an equivalent ergonomic form to facilitate easy horizontal manipulation of the barrier assembly  30  within the channel  60 . The handles  120  further provide a mechanical limitation by abutting against the slide column  40  when fully extended or retracted. The handles  120  are envisioned to be affixed to the framework  100  using fasteners such as screws or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the slide column  40  includes a plurality of axial rollers  210  along top and bottom surfaces of the channel  60  that bear upon top and bottom surfaces of the framework  100  of the barrier assembly  30  to provide smooth and scratch-free motioning of the barrier assembly  30  within the channel  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the slide column  40  includes a locking mechanism  130  allowing a user to extend and secure the barrier assembly  30  at a desired extended position. In an example embodiment, the locking mechanism  130  is located along a lower rear surface of the slide column  40 . The locking mechanism  130  is positioned so as to enable selective engagement of a pin  140  with one (1) of a plurality of circular detents  180  arranged in a row along a bottom surface of the barrier assembly  30 . 
     In another example embodiment, the locking mechanism  130  includes a slide-bolt device having an upwardly protruding pin  140  sized so as to be inserted into a selectively aligned detent  180 . The locking mechanism  130  also includes a lock bolt/knob  141  that threadingly engages the pin  140  to provide selective engagement or detachment of the pin  140  in the detent  180 . The lock bolt/knob  141  is envisioned to provide a threaded portion enabling the lock bolt/knob  141  to be tightened in position, thereby securing the pin  140  and retaining the barrier assembly  30  at a desired position. However, it is understood that other locations and types of locking mechanisms may be used based upon a particular installation and desired appearance with equal benefit without deviating from the teachings of the present disclosure and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations of the disclosed apparatus  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The disclosed embodiments of the apparatus  10  can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed and utilized as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     One (1) embodiment of the disclosed method for installing the apparatus  10  includes the following steps: 1). acquiring a model of the apparatus  10  having a barrier assembly  30  of a desired width and height, as well as a desired external decorative appearance; 2). mounting the slide column  40  to a wall structure  310  of a balcony  300  using the apertures  70  and provided fasteners (e.g., lag screws, wall anchors, or the like); 3). motioning the pin  140  of the locking mechanism  130  to a lowered position using the lock bolt/knob  141 ; 4). slidably inserting the barrier assembly  30  through the channel  60  of the slide column  40 ; 5). installing one (1) or both of the handles  120  upon opposing vertical portions of the framework  100  using provided fasteners; and, 6). allowing the barrier assembly  30  be manipulated smoothly in a horizontal direction upon and between the rollers  210 . 
     One (1) embodiment of the disclosed method for utilizing the apparatus  10  to provide additional privacy upon a balcony  300  includes the following steps: 1). lowering the lock bolt/knob  141  of the locking mechanism  130  to release the barrier assembly  30 ; 2). using one (1) or both handles  120  of the barrier assembly  30  to provide sliding movement of the barrier assembly  30  to a desired extended position which provides a desired level of privacy; 3). lifting the lock bolt/knob  141  to insert the pin  140  within an aligned detent  180 ; and, 4). rotating and tightening the threaded lock bolt/knob  141  to lock the pin  140  in position. 
     One (1) embodiment of the disclosed method for installing and utilizing the extension column  50  of the apparatus  10  includes the following steps: 1). mounting the extension column  50  to the railing  305  or other structural member of the balcony  300 , for example, using appropriate brackets and fasteners; 2). removing one (1) of the caps  80  from the slide column  40 ; 3). slidably inserting the inserting feature  90  of the extension column  50  into the open end of the slide column  40 ; 4). attaching the slide column  40  to the extension column  50  using at least one (1) fastener for additional rigidity, if desired; 5). mounting the slide column  40  to adjacent structures based upon a particular installation scenario using the apertures  70  and provided fasteners; and 6). installing and utilizing the barrier assembly  30  as described above. 
     Accordingly, the user of the disclosed privacy barrier can benefit from a selective means of increased privacy between adjacent balconies  300 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.