Claims
- 1. A method of selectively controlling access to an aisle that extends between a first shelf assembly and a second shelf assembly, each of the type having horizontal shelves supported by vertical supports, comprising the steps of:providing a container with a compartment that is accessible via a door; mounting the container on one of the vertical supports on the first shelf assembly; providing a net; anchoring a first end of the net inside the compartment; maneuvering the net into the compartment; temporarily connecting an opposite, second end of the net to the container; closing the door with the net inside the compartment to conceal the net and leave the aisle accessible; and selectively opening the door, disconnecting the second end of the net from the container, and connecting the second end of the net to one of the vertical supports on the second shelf assembly to span the aisle and block access to the aisle.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a common fastener is used to mount the container on said one of the vertical supports and to anchor the first end of the net inside the compartment.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the common fastener is an eye-bolt, and the anchoring step involves insertion of a hook on the net through an opening in the eye-bolt.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one hook is mounted on the net to engage the second shelf assembly for purposes of connecting the second end of the net to said one of the vertical supports on the second shelf assembly.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a discrete opening is provided in the container for purposes of temporarily connecting the opposite, second end of the net to the container.
- 6. A method of selectively controlling access to an aisle that extends between a first shelf assembly and a second shelf assembly, each of the type having horizontal shelves supported by vertical supports, comprising the steps of:providing a net support; mounting the net support on the first shelf assembly; providing a net; connecting a first end of the net to the net support; securing a discrete portion of the net to at least one of the net support and the first shelf assembly in a manner that keeps the net off the floor and in close proximity to the first shelf assembly; and selectively connecting the second end of the net to the second shelf assembly to span the aisle in a manner that blocks access to the aisle.
- 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the securing step involves gathering the net into a bundle, and maneuvering the bundle into a container.
- 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the securing step involves winding the net about itself.
- 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of selectively relocating the net support by pulling the net support upward and then away from the first shelf assembly.
- 10. The method of claim 6, wherein adjustable length hook assemblies are provided on the second end of the net for purposes of selectively connecting the second end of the net to said one of the vertical supports on the second shelf assembly.
- 11. A method of controlling access to a first shelf assembly and a second shelf assembly, comprising the steps of:arranging each said shelf assembly on a floor surface in a manner that defines an aisle therebetween; providing a net; providing an anchoring means for anchoring a first end of the net to the first shelf assembly; and providing a connecting means for selectively connecting an opposite, second end of the net to the first shelf assembly in a manner that maintains the net off the floor surface and in close proximity to the first shelf assembly, and for alternatively connecting the second end of the net to the second shelf assembly in a manner that blocks access to the aisle.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the anchoring means is provided as hooks mounted on respective upper and lower corners of the first end of the net.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the connecting means is provided as hooks adjustably mounted on respective upper and lower corners of the second end of the net.
- 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting means is provided as hooks adjustably mounted on respective upper and lower corners of the net.
- 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of mounting a container on the first shelf assembly to house the net in its storage position.
- 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the container is provided as a cylindrical tube having a door that opens and closes relative thereto.
- 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of providing an elongate rigid member; securing the first end of the net to the rigid member; and providing a means for releasably mounting the rigid member on the first shelf assembly.
- 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the rigid member is provided as a container sized and configured to house the net in its storage position.
- 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting means is provided with a winding means for winding the net about itself for purposes of maintaining the net off the floor surface and in close proximity to the first shelf assembly.
- 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting means is provided with a folding means for folding the net about itself for purposes of maintaining the net off the floor surface and in close proximity to the first shelf assembly.
- 21. A retractable barrier system that selectively spans an aisle extending between a first shelf assembly and a second shelf assembly, comprising:a container having a compartment that is accessible via an opening; a mounting means for mounting the container on the first shelf assembly; a net; an anchoring means for anchoring a first end of the net to the container; and a connecting means for connecting an opposite, second end of the net to the container for purposes of storing the net within the container, and for alternatively connecting the second end of the net to the second shelf assembly for purposes of securing the net across the aisle and thereby blocking access to the aisle.
- 22. The retractable barrier system of claim 21, wherein the container includes a tube, and a door is movably mounted on the tube and selectively blocks the opening.
- 23. The retractable barrier system of claim 21, wherein the mounting means includes a fastener that extends through aligned openings in the container and the first shelf assembly.
- 24. The retractable barrier system of claim 23, wherein the fastener is an eye-bolt, and the anchoring means includes a hook that is interconnected between the net and the eye-bolt.
- 25. The retractable barrier system of claim 21, wherein the connecting means includes a hook mounted on the net and configured to engage the second shelf assembly.
- 26. The retractable barrier system of claim 25, further comprising an adjusting means for selectively adjusting the hook relative to the net.
- 27. The retractable barrier system of claim 25, wherein a discrete opening is provided in the container to support the hook when the net is stored within the container.
- 28. A retractable barrier system that selectively spans an aisle extending between a first shelf assembly and a second shelf assembly, comprising:a net; an anchoring means for anchoring a first end of the net to the first shelf assembly; and a connecting means for selectively connecting an opposite, second end of the net to the first shelf assembly for purposes of storing the net off the ground and in close proximity to the first shelf assembly, and for alternatively connecting the second end of the net to the second shelf assembly for purposes of securing the net across the aisle and thereby blocking access to the aisle.
- 29. The retractable barrier system of claim 28, wherein the anchoring means includes hooks mounted on respective upper and lower corners of the net.
- 30. The retractable barrier system of claim 29, wherein the connecting means includes hooks adjustably mounted on respective upper and lower corners of the net.
- 31. The retractable barrier system of claim 28, wherein the connecting means includes hooks adjustably mounted on respective upper and lower corners of the net.
- 32. A retractable barrier system, comprising:a first shelf assembly; a second shelf assembly, wherein an aisle is defined between the second shelf assembly and the first shelf assembly; and a net having a first end anchored to the first shelf assembly, and an opposite, second end that is movable between a storage position, disposed off the ground and in close proximity to the first shelf assembly, and a deployed position, extending across the aisle and thereby blocking access to the aisle.
- 33. The retractable barrier system of claim 32, further comprising a container mounted on the first shelf assembly and sized and configured to house the net in its storage position.
- 34. The retractable barrier system of claim 33, wherein the container is a cylindrical tube.
- 35. The retractable barrier system of claim 34, wherein the tube is provided with a hinged door.
- 36. The retractable barrier system of claim 35, further comprising a means for latching the door in a closed position.
- 37. The retractable barrier system of claim 33, wherein the container is provided with a means for supporting the second end of the net in its storage position.
- 38. The retractable barrier system of claim 32, wherein hooks are mounted on the first end of the net.
- 39. The retractable barrier system of claim 38, wherein hooks are adjustably mounted on the second end of the net.
- 40. The retractable barrier system of claim 32, wherein hooks are adjustably mounted on the second end of the net.
- 41. The retractable barrier system of claim 32, wherein the first end of the net is secured to an elongate rigid member.
- 42. The retractable barrier system of claim 41, further comprising a means for releasably mounting the rigid member on the first shelf assembly.
- 43. The retractable barrier system of claim 42, wherein the rigid member is a container sized and configured to house the net in its storage position.
Parent Case Info
This application claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/294,096 filed May 29, 2001, and also claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/294,095 filed May 29, 2001.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/294096 |
May 2001 |
US |
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60/294095 |
May 2001 |
US |