Patent Document

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/300,011 filed Sep. 3, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,149, which is incorporated by reference in its&#39; entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to pet and child protection, in particular to devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings and across openings between posts using magnetic fasteners and clips, to protect pets and small children. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Balconies on condominium and apartment buildings often having railings with spaced apart posts that are generally spaced apart from one another by approximately 6 to approximately 8 inches. While the spacing may be narrow enough to prevent large children from passing through, the spacing is large enough to allow for small children and pets to pass through. In high rises, it has been known that pets, such as cats and dogs are fallen through the spacing, which can result in the pet falling a large distance to ground level below. Similarly, this problem also exists with banisters and stairwells having open post supported railings. 
     Various attempts have been made over the years to cover the spacing between the support posts. Kidshield Indoor Banister Guard and Clear Banister Guard Kit are two products on the market which generally include translucent plastic panels for covering banister openings. However, both products are not easy to install and remove. 
     Both products require the installer having to hole punch the plastic sheets in order to and use screw type fasteners and cable ties to fasten the sheets to walls and posts. In addition to causing permanent damage to underlying surfaces, the screws must be each manually attached which can be tedious and time consuming. And both the screws and cable ties are an unsightly when looking at the covered banisters. Furthermore, punching holes in the plastic panels will weaken the panels, and can result in the panels tearing and ripping apart. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings using magnetic fasteners and clips, to protect pets and small children. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings, without using screws. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings, without causing damage to underlying surfaces. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings, without using cable ties. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings, without having to punch holes in the panels. 
     A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings, that is easy to both install and remove. 
     A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of mounting plastic translucent and/or advertising panels to balconies, banisters and stair railings, that is aesthetically pleasing when installed without using unsightly mounting fasteners. 
     A barrier system for banisters, balconies and stair railings, includes a flexible panel having a generally rectangular configuration, a plurality of elongated strips with exterior surfaces having adhesive thereon, and a plurality of post clips, wherein the panel is attachable to posts that support railings on the banisters, balconies and stair railings, by positioning the elongated strips between portions of the panel and side surface portions of the post, and by clamping upper and lower edge portions of the panel to side portions of the posts by the post clips. 
     Each of the elongated strips can include a pair of strips sandwiched together having exterior surfaces with peel and stick tape, and interior facing magnetic surfaces; 
     Each of the post clips can include a clamp member having a configuration along a horizontal plane for clamping about the side portions of the posts, and a finger portion which extends perpendicular from a horizontal plane of the clamp member so that the finger portion presses against an exterior surface portion of the panel. The finger portion of the clips can include an S shape. Additionally, the finger portion can have a flat exterior face and an inner convex face. 
     The clamp member of each post clip can include two bendable flanges having outer ends which snap about the side portions of the post. The bendable flanges can have a spacing therebetween of approximately 0.8 inches. The bendable flanges can have a spacing therebetween of approximately 2 inches. Each of the bendable flanges can have snapable hook ends. 
     The clamp member can be a zip tie. The clamp member can include double sided tape. The clamp member can include a strip having hook and loop fasteners. The clamp member can include a rail clip strap with retaining strap on one end and a second end with a strap clip snap cutout. The clamp member can include a belt with buckle end for clamping about a perimeter surface of the post. 
     Each clamp member can include a pair of clamp members, and the finger is an elongated member having ends attached to each clamp member. Each of the clamp member pairs can include a rail clip strap with retaining strap on one end and a second end with a strap clip snap cutout. 
     The plastic panel can include a translucent plastic panel or colored panel with or without signage and indicia thereon. 
     A barrier system for banisters, balconies and stair railings, can include a flexible panel having a generally rectangular configuration, a plurality of elongated strips with exterior surfaces having adhesive thereon, each of the elongated strips includes a pair of strips sandwiched together having exterior surfaces with peel and stick tape, and interior facing magnetic surfaces, and a plurality of post clips, each of the post clips include a clamp member having a configuration along a horizontal plane for clamping about the side portions of the post and a finger portion which extends perpendicular from a horizontal plane of the clamp member, wherein the panel is attachable to posts that support railings on the banisters, balconies and stair railings, by positioning the elongated strips between portions of the panel and side surface portions of the post, and by clamping upper and lower edge portions of the panel to side portions of the posts by the post clips so that the finger portion presses against an exterior surface of the panel. 
     A method of protecting banisters, balconies and stair railings, can include the steps of providing a rectangular flexible plastic panel, providing a plurality of double sided tape strips, providing a plurality of attachable and detachable post clamps, attaching one side surface of the panel to surfaces of posts that support railings with the double sided tape strips, and clamping upper and lower edges of the panel to the posts by the post clamps. 
     The step of providing the plurality of double sided tape strips can include the step of providing each of the elongated strips with a pair of strips sandwiched together having exterior surfaces with peel and stick tape, and interior facing magnetic surfaces. 
     The step of providing the plurality of post clamps, can include the steps of providing a clamp member having a configuration along a horizontal plane for clamping about the side portions of the post and a finger portion which extends perpendicular from a horizontal plane of the clamp member, and pressing an outer surface portion of the panel with the finger portion. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an existing banister with post supported railing. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the banister of  FIG. 11  with the novel barrier system installed. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective partial view of the installed barrier system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of an 0.8″ rail clip for the installed barrier of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a 2″ rail clip for the installed barrier of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the installed barrier system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the 0.8″ rail clip of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the installed 2″ rail clip of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded front perspective view of barrier system ready to be installed. 
         FIG. 10  shows a partially rolled flexible plastic film barrier with magnet strips. 
         FIG. 11  shows the plastic film barrier of  FIG. 10  unrolled and ready to be installed. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the 2″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 5 and 8 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the 2″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the 2″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 5 ,  8 ,  12  and  13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the 2″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 5 ,  8 , and  12 - 14 . 
         FIG. 16  a top view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 4 , and  7 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 4 ,  7  and  16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 4 ,  7 ,  16  and  17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 4 ,  7 , and  16 - 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of a rail clip being installed to a banister with a tie-on. 
         FIG. 21  shows the installed rail clip mounted to the post of the banister of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded view of a rail clip being installed with hook/loop fasteners or double sided tape to a post of a banister. 
         FIG. 23  shows the installed rail clip mounted to the post of the banister of  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 24  is an exploded view of a rail clip being installed with strap fasteners to a banister. 
         FIG. 25  shows the installed rail clip mounted to the post of the banister of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of the rail clip used in  FIGS. 20-25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 20-26 . 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 20-27 . 
         FIG. 29  is a side view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 20-28 . 
         FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of an installed strap rail clip. 
         FIG. 31  is a rear perspective view of rail clip of  FIG. 30  with strap bar unfastened. 
         FIG. 32  is a rear perspective view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 30-31  with strap bar fastened. 
         FIG. 33  is a top perspective view of rail clip of  FIGS. 30-32  with strap rail clip fastened. 
         FIG. 34  is a top perspective view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 30-33  with strap rail clip unfastened. 
         FIG. 35  is a rear perspective view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 30-34  with strap rail clip fastened. 
         FIG. 36  is a rear perspective view of the rail clip of  FIGS. 30-35  with strap rail clip unfastened. 
         FIG. 37  is a front perspective exploded view of a barrier system being installed with full length post clamp. 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged view of a top of a full length post clamp ready for installation. 
         FIG. 39  is a front perspective view of the barrier system of  FIG. 37  installed on a banister. 
         FIG. 40  is an enlarged view of a top of the installed full length post clamp installed. 
         FIG. 41  is a rear perspective view of full length post clamp with open clips. 
         FIG. 42  is a rear perspective view of the full length clamp of  FIG. 41  with clips closed. 
         FIG. 43  is a front perspective view of the full length clamp of  FIG. 42  with clips closed. 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of the bather system of the preceding figures installed on an existing banister supported to the wall with magnetic strips. 
         FIG. 45  is an exploded view of the end of the barrier with magnetic strip. 
         FIG. 46  is an exploded perspective view of a clip with belt buckle strap ready to be used to install a barrier to a post of a banister. 
         FIG. 47  is a perspective view of the buckle strap clip of  FIG. 46  installed to a banister. 
         FIG. 48  is a top view of another snap on rail clip having a finger portion with a generally flat exterior face and a convex protruding inner face. 
         FIG. 49  is a front view of the clip of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 50  is a side view of the clip of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 51  is a perspective view of the clip of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 52  is a top view of another strap rail clip. 
         FIG. 53  is a front view of the clip of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 54  is a side view of the clip of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 55  is a perspective view of the clip of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 56  is a perspective view of the clip of  FIG. 55  with a hook and loop strap installed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A list of the components used with the invention will now be described.
       1 . barrier system     10 . Flexible plastic film barrier panel. Can be transparent or colored opaque.     20 . 2″ snap on rail clip.     30 . 8″ snap on rail clip.     40 . Existing banister with post supported ends.     45 . railing     50 . 2″ banister post.     60 . 8″ banister post.     70 . Side wall.     80 . Deck.     90 . Logo, trademark, or other advertising printed onto film barrier.     100 . Seam between film barrier panels.     110 . 8″ clamping finger.     120 . 2″ clamping finger.     130 . 2″ clamp retaining snap.     140 . 8″ clamp retaining snap.     150 . 1″ wide self-adhesive magnet strip adhered to 2″ rail post.     160 . ½″ wide self-adhesive magnet strip adhered to 0.8″ rail post.     170 . 1″ wide self-adhesive magnet strip adhered to plastic film barrier panel.     180 . ½″ wide self-adhesive magnet strip adhered to plastic film barrier panel.     190 . hook and loop, double sided tape, or zip-tie (VDZ) mounted rail clip.     200 . hook and loop or double sided tape.     210 . VDZ clamping finger     220 . VDZ mounting surface for double sided tape or self-adhesive Velcro.     230 . Pass-through hole for zip ties or hook and loop strap.     240 . Zip tie.     250 . Existing banister with wall supported ends.     260 . 1″ wide self-adhesive magnet strip adhered to side wall.     270 . 1″ wide self-adhesive magnet strip adhered to folded panel flange.     280 . Flange folded on end of flexible plastic film to interface to side wall.     290 . hook and loop strap.     300 . 2″ strap rail clip.     310 . Strap clip retaining snap.     320 . Strap clip hinged strap bar.     330 . Strap clip snap cutout.     340 . Plastic live hinge.     350 . Full length clamp with strap rail clips incorporated into each end.     360 . Full length clamping bar clamps the full length of the seam between film barriers.     370 . Buckle strap.     380 . Buckle.     390 . Alternate snap on rail clip.     392 . front flat face of finger     394 . inner convex face of finger     396 . side leg with snap end (hook end)     398 . side leg with snap end (hook end)     400 . Alternate hook and mount clip.     402 . head end     403 . side slot for strap     404 . front flat face of finger     406 . inner convex face of finger   

       FIG. 1  is a front view of an existing banister  40  with posts  50 / 60  that support railing  45  on a deck  80  with side walls  70 .  FIG. 2  is a front view of the banister  40  of  FIG. 11  with the novel barrier system  1  installed.  FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective partial view of the installed barrier system  1  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of an 0.8″ rail clip  30  for the installed barrier system  1  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a 2″ rail clip  20  for the installed barrier of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the installed barrier system  1  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the 0.8″ rail clip  30  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the installed 2″ rail clip  20  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 9  is an exploded front perspective view of barrier system  1  ready to be installed. 
       FIG. 10  shows a partially rolled flexible plastic film barrier  10  with magnet strips  170 ,  180  that can be adhered to the plastic barrier panel  10 .  FIG. 11  shows the plastic film barrier  10  of  FIG. 10  unrolled and ready to be installed. 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the 2″ snap on rail clip of  FIGS. 5 and 8 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the 2″ snap on rail clip  20  of  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  12 .  FIG. 14  is a front view of the 2″ snap on rail clip  20  of  FIGS. 5 ,  8 ,  12  and  13 .  FIG. 15  is a side view of the 2″ snap on rail clip  20  of  FIGS. 5 ,  8 , and  12 - 14 . 
       FIG. 16  a top view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip  30  of  FIGS. 4 , and  7 .  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip  30  of  FIGS. 4 ,  7  and  16 .  FIG. 18  is a front view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip  30  of  FIGS. 4 ,  7 ,  16  and  17 .  FIG. 19  is a side view of the 0.8″ snap on rail clip  30  of  FIGS. 4 ,  7 , and  16 - 18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , the novel barrier system  1  can be installed to cover the inner sides of posts  50  of an existing banister  40 . A flexible semi-rigid plastic film barrier panel  10  can be transparent and/or colored opaque. Additionally, the panel  10  can have indicia thereon, such as but not limited to business signage, messages, and the like. The panel can have various thicknesses, such as but not limited to being several mils thick to being approximately 14 to approximately 16 mils thick. The panels can be treated for UV (ultra violet rays) exposure. 
     The invention can use double sided magnetic tape, such as the double side magnetic tape described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2001/0055666 to Lee et al., which is incorporated by reference. The invention can use either or both 1″ wide double sided self-adhesive magnetic strips  170 , and/or ½″ wide double sided self-adhesive magnetic strips  180 . 
     Before installation, the installer can cut desired sections of the flexible plastic film barrier panel  10  from a roll. 
     The 1″ wide self-adhesive magnetic strips  170  can be adhered to one side of the flexible plastic film barrier in parallel arrangements with one another, which can be spaced apart to overlay the inner surfaces of the 2″ banister posts  50 . 
     Additionally, the ½″ wide self-adhesive magnetic strips  180  can be adhered to one side of the flexible plastic film barrier in parallel arrangements with one another, which can be spaced apart to overlay the inner surfaces of the 0.8″ banister posts  60 . 
     The 1″ wide self-adhesive magnetic strips  150  can be adhered to the inner surfaces of the 2″ banister posts  50 . 
     Additionally, the ½″ wide self-adhesive magnetic strips  160  can be adhered to the inner surfaces of the 0.8″ banister posts  60 . 
     The installer can position to orient the selected sheet of panel  10  so that the exposed magnetic surfaces of strips  170  on panel  10  attach to the exposed magnetic surfaces of strips  150  on posts  50 . Similarly, the exposed magnetic surfaces of strips  180  on panel  10  attach to the exposed magnetic surfaces of the strips  160  on posts  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-19 , the mounted sheet panels  10  can be oriented end to end with one another on the posts  50 ,  60  of the banister  40  so that any vertical seams  100  overlay a mid portion of the larger 2″ banister posts  50 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  12 - 15 , the 2″ snap on rail clips  20  can have side legs each with hooked ends  130  which allow the clips  20  to snap about the posts  50 . The installer can orient the clips  20  so that the S shaped 2″ clamping fingers  120  on upper and lower placed clips  20  overlays against upper and lower seam edges  100  of the side by side panels  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7 ,  9 , and  16 - 19 , the 0.8″ clips  30  can have side legs each with hooked ends  140  which allow the clips  30  to snap about the posts  60 . The installer can orient the clips  30  so that the S shaped 0.8″ clamping fingers  110  on upper and lower placed clips  30  can hold top and bottom edges of the panel  10  against the posts  60 . 
       FIG. 20  is an exploded view of another type of rail clip  190  having a generally upside down J shape with the leg portion also having a generally S shape. The hook portion of the J can be attached to a post  50 / 60  by one or two zip ties  240  that each can be inserted between the hook and S shape portions of the clip and adjustably tightened about the posts  50 / 60 .  FIG. 21  shows the installed rail clip  190  mounted to the post  50 / 60  of the banister  40  of  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 22  is an exploded view of a rail clip  190  being installed with interlocking hook/loop fasteners  200  and/or double sided tape  200  to a post  50 / 60  of a banister  40 . The installer can attach one side of the hook and loop fastener or double sided tape to the post  50 / 60 , and the mating side of the hook and loop fastener or double sided tape to the outer surface of the hook portion of the clip  190 .  FIG. 23  shows the installed rail clip  190  mounted to the post  50 / 60  of the banister  40  of  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 24  is an exploded view of a rail clip  190  being installed with strap fasteners  290  that each can be inserted between the hook and S shape portions of the clip  190  and adjustably tightened about the posts  50 / 60 . The strap fasteners  290  can be strips with hook and loop fasteners along the surfaces.  FIG. 25  shows the installed rail clip  190  mounted to the post of the banister  40  of  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 26  is a top view of the rail clip  190  used in  FIGS. 20-25 .  FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the rail clip  190  of  FIGS. 20-26 .  FIG. 28  is a front view of the rail clip  190  of  FIGS. 20-27 .  FIG. 29  is a side view of the rail clip  190  of  FIGS. 20-28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26-29 , the rail clip  190  can include a S shaped clamping finger  210  with an upper end attached to a hook edge  220  having an exterior mounting surfaces for mounting the double sided tape and/or double sided hook and loop fasteners thereon. The hook edge  220  can also have a pass-through  230  for allowing the zip tie(s)  240  to pass therethrough. 
       FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of another installed strap rail clip  300 .  FIG. 31  is a rear perspective view of rail clip  300  of  FIG. 30  with strap bar  320  attached to hinge  40  in an unfastened position.  FIG. 32  is a rear perspective view of the rail clip  300  of  FIGS. 30-31  with strap bar  320  fastened.  FIG. 33  is a top perspective view of rail clip  300  of  FIGS. 30-32  with strap rail clip  300  fastened about a post  50 / 60 .  FIG. 34  is a top perspective view of the rail clip  300  of  FIGS. 30-33  with strap rail clip bar  320  unfastened.  FIG. 35  is a rear perspective view of the rail clip  300  of  FIGS. 30-34  with strap rail clip bar  320  fastened.  FIG. 36  is a rear perspective view of the rail clip  300  of  FIGS. 30-35  with strap rail clip bar  320  unfastened. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 30-36 , clip  300  can have a front side with an S shaped clamping finger  120  with rear sides having a strap clip hinged strap bar  320  with an outer end that can bend about the rear of a post  50 / 60 , with a strap clip snap cutout  330  thereon. Opposite strap portion of clip  300  can have an end with a snap clip retaining snap  310  that can snapably attach into the snap cutout  330  locking the clip  300  to the post  50 / 60 . 
       FIG. 37  is a front perspective exploded view of a barrier system  1  being installed with full length post clamp  350 .  FIG. 38  is an enlarged view of a top of a full length post clamp  350  ready for installation.  FIG. 39  is a front perspective view of the barrier system  1  of  FIG. 37  installed on a banister  40 .  FIG. 40  is an enlarged view of a top of the installed full length post clamp  350  installed on a post  50 / 60 .  FIG. 41  is a rear perspective view of full length post clamp  350  with open clips.  FIG. 42  is a rear perspective view of the full length clamp  350  of  FIG. 41  with clips closed.  FIG. 43  is a front perspective view of the full length clamp  350  of  FIG. 42  with clips closed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 37-43 , the full length clamp  350  can have a full length clamping bar portion  360  with snap clip retaining snap  310 , strap clip hinged strap bar  320 , strap clip snap cutout  330  and hinge  340 , which function and install as previously described about the posts  50  both above and below the panel  10 . The elongated bar portion  360  can also be attached to post  50  using any of the previously described clips. The elongated bar portion  360  allows for the seams  100  between the panels to be more completely covered and protected from peeling off. 
       FIG. 44  is a perspective view of the barrier system  1  of the preceding figures installed on an existing banister  250  whose railings are attached directly to a wall.  FIG. 45  is an exploded view of the end of the barrier  10  with magnetic strip  260  thereon. The outer side edge  280  of the panel  10  can be folded to form a flange in order to interface with a fall surface. A 1″ wide self-adhesive magnetic strip can be adhered to an outer surface of the flange  280 . Another 1″ wide self-adhesive magnetic strip  260  can be adhered to the side wall, so that both magnetic strips  260 ,  270  attach to one another. 
       FIG. 46  is an exploded perspective view of a clip  190  previously described with a belt buckle strap  370 ,  380  ready to be used to install a barrier  10  to a post  50  of a banister  40 .  FIG. 47  is a perspective view of the buckle strap clip  370 ,  380  of  FIG. 46  installed to a post  50  of banister  40 . The buckle portion  380  allows for the clip  190  to be adjustably tightened about the post  50 / 60 . 
       FIG. 48  is a top view of another snap on rail clip  390  having a finger portion  392 ,  394  with a generally flat exterior face  392  and a convex protruding inner face  394 .  FIG. 49  is a front view of the clip  390  of  FIG. 48 .  FIG. 50  is a side view of the clip  390  of  FIG. 48 .  FIG. 51  is a perspective view of the clip  390  of  FIG. 48 . This rail clip  390  can be an alternate snap on rail clip to the rail clip shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 12-19 . 
     The snap on rail clip  390  can include a front flat face of finger  392 , and an inner convex face of finger  394  with raised portion that presses against an upper or lower edge portion of the installed panel  10  or against a seam  100  in the installed panel(s)  10 . Clip  390  can function similarly to the clips  20 ,  30  by having both a first side leg with snap end (hook end)  396 , and a second side leg with snap end (hook end)  398 , wherein the legs snap about sides of posts  50 ,  60  shown in the previous figures. 
       FIG. 52  is a top view of another strap rail clip  400 .  FIG. 53  is a front view of the clip  400  of  FIG. 52 .  FIG. 54  is a side view of the clip  400  of  FIG. 52 .  FIG. 55  is a perspective view of the clip  400  of  FIG. 52 .  FIG. 56  is a perspective view of the clip  400  of  FIG. 55  with a hook and loop strap  290  installed. 
     This alternate clip  400  includes a head end  402  with side slot  403  that allows for a strap  290 , such as a hook and loop fastener strap to be inserted therethrough. Clip  400  includes a finger portion with a front flat face  404  and an inner facing edge convex curved edge  406  that can press against an exterior portion of a panel  10  or a seam  100  between panel(s)  10 . The clip  400  attached to posts  40 / 60  similar to the clip  190  shown and described in reference to  FIGS. 24-29 . 
     The clips can be made from plastic, metal, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     Although dimensions for the post clips and tape strips are referenced above, the invention clip sizes and tape strips can vary depending upon the different diameter posts. 
     Although the double sided tape described above, uses magnets, the invention include double sided tape without magnets. Additionally, the double sided tape can include hook and loop fasteners, such as mushroom headed fasteners. 
     While the invention is described as a barrier for protecting pets and children, the barrier invention can be used for storm protection to prevent air, rain, snow, and the like, from passing through the openings between posts underneath railings. 
     The novel barrier can be easily disassembled and put away when not being used. The invention can be installed by professionals, consumers, and/or be packaged in kit forms with the components in a package. 
     While the invention is described for use with balconies, banisters and stair railings having posts, the invention can be used to cover openings between vertical posts in other applications, such as but not limited to cribs, bassinets, and the like. Still furthermore, the protective barrier invention can be used to cover other openings, such as but not limited to doorways, windows, entrances to stairs, and any other type of opening. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Technology Category: 0