Patent · US Active

Retractable safety barriers and methods of operating same

US8490668B2 · kind B2 · utility

14Cited by
85References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 2011
Grant dateJul 23, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE06B2009/002
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.