Illuminated security barrier for passageways

• US 6,079,157 A
• Filed: 02/12/1999
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Matthew Sr. Hincher
• Original Assignee: William Matthew Sr. Hincher
• Inventors: Hincher, William Matthew Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Hugh B.
• Application Number:
  US09/249,293
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 49/51, 49/50, 49/55, 49/465, 49/466, 49/463, 49/199, 49/25, 160/10, 160/210, 160/215, 160/220, 160/225, 362/133, 362/147, 362/152, 362/394, 362/802
• US Class Current: 49/57
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/106 Lighting
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/002 Safety guards or gates
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/04 of wing type, e.g. revolving or sliding trap doors; louvre doors or windows E06B7/08

Abstract

An illuminated safety or security barrier is shown for preventing children and pets from gaining unauthorized access through passageways. The barrier may optionally be a gate allowing authorized passage. The barrier includes an electrically operated light disposed to illuminate the barrier directly, to project a visible signal away from the barrier, or both. The barrier includes an electrical system having a battery or plug and cord to supply power, controls, and conductors connecting the light, power source, and controls. Optionally, the controls include a programmable timer or a photocell or a motion sensor to inhibit operation of the light, and a manual switch which controls intensity of the light. The various controls may be combined if desired. Optionally, a remote controller is provided.

Claims

1. An illuminated portable, removable safety barrier for obstructing a passageway having a plurality of vertical environmental surfaces, comprising:

a frame;

a barrier panel supported in vertical orientation by said frame;

mounting apparatus disposed to mount said frame in an erect position to the environmental surfaces, comprising a first vertical post supporting a first screw including a broad head arranged to contact one of the environmental surfaces when said first screw is turned and a second vertical post supporting a second screw including a broad head arranged to contact another one of the environmental surfaces when said second screw is turned;

an electrically operated illumination source supported on said frame, wherein said barrier panel has a front side and said illumination source is disposed to project light at least onto said front side of said barrier panel; and

an electrical system including a battery carried on said safety barrier and electrical conductors connecting said illumination source to said battery;

wherein said safety barrier is self-contained and can be installed to and removed from the environmental surfaces as a unitary assembly by said mounting apparatus.

2. The safety barrier according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic on-off controller disposed to operate said illumination source at predetermined times and to extinguish said illumination source at other times.

3. The safety barrier according to claim 2, wherein said automatic on-off controller comprises a light sensitive switch disposed to connect said illumination source to electrical power responsive to sensing a predetermined threshold of diminished ambient light levels.

4. The safety barrier according to claim 2, wherein said automatic on-off controller comprises a programmable timer disposed to connect said illumination source to electrical power at the predetermined times and to disconnect said illumination source from electrical power at other times.

5. The safety barrier according to claim 2, wherein said automatic on-off controller comprises a motion sensor disposed to connect said illumination source to electrical power responsive to sensing motion within a predetermined distance of said motion sensor.

6. The safety barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a manual controller disposed to control intensity of said illumination source.

7. The safety barrier according to claim 6, wherein said manual controller is arranged to limit illumination to three different levels.

8. The safety barrier according to claim 6, wherein said manual controller is arranged to vary illumination of said illumination source in a continuous, progressive manner.

9. The safety barrier according to claim 1, wherein said electrical system includes a battery charger connected to said battery and a cord and plug assembly connected to said battery charger.

10. The safety barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a remote controller generating command signals and a signal receiver located at said safety barrier, wherein said signal receiver receives the command signals and controls said illumination source responsive to command signals generated by said remote controller.

11. An illuminated portable, removable safety barrier for obstructing a passageway having a plurality of vertical environmental surfaces, comprising:

a frame;

a barrier panel supported in vertical orientation by said frame;

mounting apparatus disposed to mount said frame in an erect position to the environmental surfaces, comprising a first vertical post supporting a first screw including a broad head arranged to contact one of the environmental surfaces when said first screw is turned and a second vertical post supporting a second screw including a broad head arranged to contact another one of the environmental surfaces when said second screw is turned;

an electrically operated illumination source supported on said frame, wherein said barrier panel has a front side and said illumination source is disposed to project light at least onto said front side of said barrier panel;

an electrical system including a battery carried on said safety barrier, a battery charger connected to said battery, a cord and plug assembly connected to said battery charger, and electrical conductors connecting said illumination source to said battery;

an automatic on-off controller disposed to operate said illumination source at predetermined times and to extinguish said illumination source at other times, wherein said automatic on-off controller comprises

a light sensitive switch disposed to connect said illumination source to electrical power responsive to sensing a predetermined threshold of diminished ambient light levels,

a programmable timer disposed to connect said illumination source to electrical power at the predetermined times and to disconnect said illumination source to electrical power at other times, and

a motion sensor disposed to connect said illumination source to electrical power responsive to sensing motion within a predetermined distance of said motion sensor;

a manual controller disposed to control intensity of said illumination source, wherein said manual controller is arranged to limit illumination to three different levels and to vary illumination of said illumination source in a continuous, progressive manner; and

a remote controller disposed to generate command signals and a signal receiver located at said safety barrier, wherein said signal receiver is disposed to receive the command signals and to control said illumination source responsive to command signals generated by said remote controller.