Portable expandable barrier

• US 4,465,262 A
• Filed: 07/14/1982
• Issued: 08/14/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Itri, Mary Riley
• Original Assignee: Gary Itri, Mary Riley
• Inventors: Riley, Mary, Itri, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundrat, Andrew V.
• Application Number:
  US06/398,679
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 160/225, 160/226, 160/227, 160/374, 49/55, 49/57, 256/24, 256/1, 256/73, 256/23
• US Class Current: 256/24
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/02 free-standing; portable, e.g. for guarding open manholes E01F9/688 takes precedence; Portable signs or signals specially adapted for fitting to portable barriers
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/166 with cross-members
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/002 Safety guards or gates

Abstract

An improved portable expandable barrier is provided which comprises a pair of fences slideably interconnected and releasably held in a desired orientation by locking means such as lock set cylinders. Preferably, one or both fences include telescoping sections releasably locked together to facilitate expansion of the barrier. In one embodiment the fences include elongated bars over which cylinders are slideably secured.

Pins or screws pass through the body of the bars of each fence and into engagement with the cylinder to prevent separation of the fences. The barrier can also include one or more collapsible posts fitted with expandable internal bladders and disposed adjacent pairs of the fences. The fence perimeters are provided with means for releasably locking the fences to the posts or other structures. Such means may be adjustable suction caps, preferably protected by overlaying adjustable bell covers locked in place. Such means can also include pins receivable within openings disposed in a door or window frame. The barrier is inexpensive, reusable, fully adjustable and easy to install, use and remove.

Claims

1. An improved portable expandable barrier, said barrier comprising, in combination:

(a) a first fence;

(b) a second fence interconnected to said first fence for sliding movement relative thereto to expand and contract said barrier,

(c) first locking means secured to said first and second fences to releasably lock said fences together; and

,

(d) second locking means secured to said first and second fences to releasably lock said fences to a structure,

(e) wherein said fences include elongated bars and said locking means comprise cylinders slideably disposed over said bars and pins extending through said bars, said pins of each of said fences engaged with said sliding cylinders of the other of said fences.

2. The improved barrier of claim 1 wherein said barrier includes at least one collapsible portable post, said post comprising elongated upstanding side walls moveable between an operative upright position defining a central space and an about collapsed position, an inflatable bladder disposed within said space, and capable of effecting said movement and securing means connected to the lower end of said post for holding said post in an upright position secured to the ground.

3. The improved barrier of claim 2 wherein said sidewalls are flat plates hinged together, wherein said securing means comprises a spike and wherein said first locking means comprises a plurality of screws threadably releasably interconnecting said fences.

4. An improved portable expandable barrier, said barrier comprising, in combination:

(a) a first fence;

(b) a second fence interconnected to said first fence for sliding movement relative thereto to expand and contract said barrier;

(c) first locking means secured to said first and second fences to releasably lock said fences together; and

,

(d) second locking means secured to said first and second fences to releasably lock said fence to a structure,

(1) said second locking means comprising suction cups connected to, spaced along and extending outwardly from the perimeter of said fences, and

(2) wherein said second locking means include bell covers adjustably threaded to and releasably locked over said suction cups to prevent tampering with said suction cups.

5. An improved portable expandable barrier, said barrier comprising, in combination:

(a) a first fence;

(b) a second fence interconnected to said first fence for sliding movement relative thereto to expand and contract said barrier,

(c) first locking means secured to said first and second fences to releasably lock said fences together; and

,

(d) second locking means secured to said first and second fences to releasably lock said fences to a structure,

(e) wherein each of said first and second fences comprises two sections slideably interconnected in telescoping relation and wherein said two fences are telescoped together,

(f) wherein said first locking means comprise lock set cylinders releasably locking said sections and fences together,

(g) wherein a barrier is adapted to be secured to a frame, and wherein said second locking means, comprise pins secured to, spaced along and projecting outwardly from the perimeter of said fences for releasable reception in openings in a frame.