Post-mounted Retractable Ribbon Barrier

Abstract

A stanchion array includes stanchions having heads that store retractable belts. Some heads feature friction pads to resist circumferential movement during use. Others feature a bearing to reduce energy lost during the retraction process. In some cases, a stanchion has two sleeves that couple together. Such a stanchion accommodates two heads and thus permits deployment of two strap layers.

Description

BACKGROUND

This application relates to devices for urging people to form queues, and in particular, to arrays of stanchions interconnected by belts, straps, ribbons, or webbing.

A stanchion is an upright bar or post that includes retractable belts, velvet ropes, or plastic chains, sometimes in conjunction with wall-mounted barrier devices, barricades, and printed signage and often used for crowd control and engineering people flow and construction site safety. Such stanchions can be found, for example, at banks, stores, hotels, museums, concert venues, trade shows. Stanchions can also be found around construction work sites where hazardous areas need to be clearly marked.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a head having retractable strap stored therein. The head includes a cap and a base. The base has a friction pad disposed on a surface thereof. As a result, when the base is inserted into a stanchion, the friction pad provides friction between the base and an inner surface of the stanchion. This permits the friction pad to resist movement of the head relative to the stanchion.

Among the embodiments are those in which the base further includes a recess that is sized and shaped to conform to the friction pad and wherein the friction pad is seated within the recess.

Also, among the embodiments are those in which the friction pad is circular, those in which it is quadrilateral, those in which it is oval, and those in which it is elliptical.

In some embodiments, the friction pad is replaceable.

Other embodiments include those in which the friction pad comprises rubber, including synthetic rubber or natural rubber.

Embodiments also include those in which the friction pad has a smooth surface, those in which it has a rough surface, and those in which it has a corrugated surface.

In another aspect, the invention features a head that encloses a retraction mechanism for retracting a strap that transitions between an extended state and a retracted state. In the extended state, the strap is outside the head. In the retracted state, the strap is inside the head. A base having a central recess is disposed at a distal end of the head. The retraction mechanism includes a spindle that extends along an axis of the housing and into the base. The central recess receives a bearing coupled to a distal end of the spindle. The spindle and the bearing rotate relative to the central recess to cause the strap to transition between the extended state and the retracted state.

Among the embodiments are those in which the bearing is an annular bearing that includes a central hole and wherein the spindle engages the bearing through the hole.

Also among the embodiments are those in which a first friction coefficient, which is that between the bearing and the base, is less than a second friction coefficient, which is that between the spindle and the base were the spindle to spin while being in contact with the base.

In some embodiments, the retraction mechanism includes a storage chamber in which the strap is stored when the strap is in a retracted state and an energy-storage chamber that encloses a spring coupled to the strap chamber for causing the storage chamber to rotate. The storage chamber, the spindle, and the bearing rotate together. In such embodiments, the spindle is integral with the storage chamber and extends through the energy-storage chamber.

In another aspect, the invention includes a stanchion having a base and a pole that extends vertically upward and heads for storing corresponding first and second extendable straps. The heads are at different distances along the pole. The pole includes first and second sleeves that couple together to form the pole. The first and second sleeves each comprise interior coupling members that engage each other.

In some embodiments, the interior coupling members comprise a male connector and a female connector that engages the male connector.

In other embodiments, the interior coupling members comprise a male connector and a female connector that engages the male connector.

In still other embodiments, the interior coupling members are coaxial.

Also, among the embodiments are those in which the first head is disposed at a junction between the first and second sleeves and wherein the second head is disposed at a top end of the second sleeve.

Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a stanchion having a head that dispenses a strap and engages a strap provided by another head;

FIG. 2 shows a head having a friction pad to resist circumferential motion;

FIG. 3 shows the head of FIG. 2 installed in a stanchion;

FIGS. 4-6 show a bearing that reduces friction loss when the spindle rotates;

FIG. 7 shows a stanchion supporting two heads; and

FIGS. 8-9 show coupling between sleeves to form the stanchion in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows the head detached from the post, where the base of the head includes a spring pin and the post includes an opening for receiving a part of the spring pin;

FIG. 11. shows the base of the head inserted into the post with the spring pin received in the opening in the post;

FIG. 12 shows the base of the head inserted into the post with a collar covering the opening with the spring pin received therein;

FIG. 13 shows an underside of the base including the spring pin and threaded nut for securing the bolt inside the post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a stanchion 10 that forms part of a stanchion array. The stanchion 10 provides a strap 12 that is stored in a head 14. The head 14 includes a cap 16 at a top end thereof. The cap 16 features a pair of blind grooves 17 that accommodate corresponding rails on a frame that allows for attaching indicia or other indicators (e.g., signage). In some embodiments, each groove 17 has an open end to receive a rail and a closed end that stops the rail from sliding further. To secure the rail, it is useful for the groove 17 to have a width that changes along its length and an end that features a locking section that extends transverse to the groove's direction, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The head 14 further includes a base 18 at a bottom end thereof. The base 18 is inserted into the stanchion 10.

The strap 12 transitions between a retracted state and an extended state. In the retracted state, the strap 12 is coiled up within the head. In the expanded state, the strap 12 extends from the head 14 towards another head supported by a neighboring stanchion 10. In the illustrated example, the head 14 is in engagement with three other straps from three neighboring stanchions.

In use, it is possible that one or more of persons in the vicinity of the stanchion to inadvertently push against the strap 12. This results in a small force that is ultimately transmitted to the head 14. As a result, there is a tendency for the base 18 to rotate relative to the stanchion 10 by a small amount. Since there is no restoring force, in the long run, the orientation of the base relative to the stanchion changes. The resulting rotational creep distorts the geometry of the queue. Although this can be corrected by hand, doing so is tedious, particularly given the large number of stanchions 10 that are typically in use at any one time.

FIG. 2 shows a base 18 that has been modified to resist such rotational creep. The illustrated base features an anti-bearing. Unlike a bearing, which is intended to promote rotation, an anti-bearing resists rotation. The illustrated anti-bearing features a recess 20 that engages a friction pad 22. The friction pad 22 is made of a material whose friction coefficient in engagement with the stanchion 10 is greater than that of the base 18 in engagement with the stanchion 10. A suitable material is rubber.

The recess 20 is sized and shaped to conform to the friction pad 22. Of particular importance are the vertical walls of the recess 20. These walls support the friction pad 22 against circumferential forces.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lower portion of the friction pad 22 is nestled within the recess 20 while an upper portion protrudes from the recess 22. In the course of operation, the upper portion tends to wear. However, it is a simple matter to replace the friction pad 22 by removing it from the recess 20 and inserting a new friction pad 22.

Since the frictional force depends on the extent of a radial force, it is useful to ensure that the friction pad 22 exerts a suitable radial force. This can be achieved by making the friction pad 22 out of a compressible material that, when compressed, exerts a radially-outward restoring force. A suitable material is a natural or synthetic rubber.

The functions of providing a suitable friction coefficient and a radially-outward force are spatially separable. Thus, in some embodiments, the friction pad 22 is a composite structure having a radially-outer surface selected for its friction coefficient that is supported by a backing selected for its ability to provide a suitable radially-outward force. Such a backing can be either a material selected for its elasticity or a mechanical structure, such as an array of springs or an air bubble.

In the illustrated embodiment, the friction pad 22 is a rectangular prism having a major axis that extends in the circumferential rotation when installed in the recess 20. Other embodiments feature a friction pad 22 that is elliptical or oval with its major axis likewise extending in the circumferential direction when installed in the recess 20. Still other embodiments feature a circular friction pad 22.

Thus, the friction pad 22 advantageously provides for a simple but elegant way of retaining base 18 within the post of the stanchion 10 without the need for fasteners. For example, fasteners such as a bolt and nut or threaded screw may require having to align holes in respective ones of the base 18 and post. The friction pad 22 eliminates the need for this arrangement and permits quick assembly and disassembly of the base 18 to the post.

FIG. 3 shows the base 18 installed within a stanchion 10. A bridge 23 extending across the stanchion's interior provides a central aperture for accommodating a loose bolt 25 that engages a central recess 27 in the base's bottom surface. A loose bolt 25 has some play from side-to-side rather than being rigidly coaxial. Since the central recess 27 and the bolt 25 cannot be visually observed during assembly, having a loose bolt 25 provides the installer with tactile feedback that assists in aligning the base 18 with the loose bolt 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, a retraction mechanism 24 within the head 10 features a spindle 26 that rotates about the head's vertical axis relative to the base 18. A circular well 28 in the base's floor receives a bearing 30 that is coupled to a lower end of the spindle 26. The spindle's upper end expands to form a strap-storage chamber in which the strap 12 is stored, with an inner end thereof attached to the spindle 26. Between the storage chamber and the base 18, the spindle 26 passes through an energy-storage chamber in which is stored energy for use in retracting the strap 12.

During a transition between the strap's retracted state and its extended state, the spindle 26 spins with a spin vector that is directed upwardly or downwardly depending on the direction of the transition.

The torque that causes the spindle 26 to spin depends on the direction of transition. In the case of extension, the torque comes from an external source, such as a person pulling on the strap 12. The retraction mechanism 24 captures at least some of the work done during this extension process and stores it in the energy-storage chamber for use during the retraction process. Typically, energy storage occurs by compressing a spring. Releasing the spring during the retraction process allowed the energy stored therein to be used for providing the torque needed to spin the spindle 26, thereby retracting the strap 12.

In either case, some of the energy used to spin the spindle 26 is inevitably lost as a result of friction with the base 18. This lost energy is not much. However, it noticeably increases the time required to dismantle the stanchion array for storage following an event.

When dismantling a stanchion array, the strap 12 must be retracted. However, it is invariably found that the retraction of the strap 12 is incomplete. Inevitably, a small length of strap 12 remains protruding out of the head 14. While this residual length is small, perhaps on the order of several inches, pushing it back into the head 14 is a time-consuming and frustrating exercise. Given the number of stanchions 10 typically deployed, this delay adds up.

The bearing 30 significantly reduces this friction loss. Preferably, the bearing 30 is made of a material that has a lower friction coefficient when sliding relative to the base 18 than the spindle 26 has when sliding relative to the base 18. As a result of this bearing 30, the task of putting away stanchions 10 becomes easier and faster.

The height of the strap 12 above the ground is generally selected based on the heights of the vendees. One does not want the strap 12 to be so high that it becomes possible to walk under it. Conversely, one does not want the strap 12 to be so low that one trips over it. For this reason, stanchions 10 are typically designed to hold the head 14 at a height that is close to the vendees' center of gravity.

A difficulty that arises is that the center of gravity varies significantly in a human population. For example, children have a significantly lower center of gravity than adults. Thus, children find it easy, and indeed enjoyable, to slip under the strap 12. This tends to disrupt order. Additionally, humans in wheelchairs likewise have a lower center of gravity than standing humans.

To solve this problem, it is useful to provide a stanchion with two or more heads 14 as shown in FIG. 7.

The configuration shown in FIG. 7 features a stanchion 10 having an upper sleeve 32 and a lower sleeve 34. The upper sleeve 32 supports an upper head for deploying an upper strap. Between the upper and lower sleeves 32, 34 is a lower head 14 for deploying a lower strap 12.

To join the upper and lower heads 32, 34 it is useful to provide a coupling mechanism. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a suitable coupling mechanism is a nut 40 that extends coaxially along the lower sleeve 34, best seen in FIG. 8, and a corresponding bolt 38 that extends coaxially along the upper sleeve 32, best seen in FIG. 9.

Preferably, the bolt 38 is a loose bolt. Such a bolt has sufficient play so that it is not required to be coaxial at all times. This is particularly useful because, in the process of lowering the upper sleeve 32 onto the lower sleeve 34, it will not be possible to visually observe the bolt 38 as it approaches the nut 40. By having some play in the bolt 38, it becomes possible to center the bolt 38 onto the nut 40 by haptic feedback.

The foregoing embodiment shows two layers. However, the structures disclosed for forming two layers and the methods disclosed for using those structures to form two layers are applicable regardless of where precisely the two layers are on the pole. For a pole with layers 1, 2, . . . N, the foregoing structures and methods described herein are applicable to joining layers n and n+1 for integer values of n between 1 and N−1 inclusive.

The ability to provide multiple layers is particularly useful for accommodating those who, as a result of a visual impairment, navigate their surroundings using the haptic feedback provided by a swinging cane. Such a cane provides sensory feedback from low-lying structures but not from a chest-high strap 12. It is therefore useful to provide a strap 12 that is close enough to the ground to be sensed by such a cane.

Referring to FIG. 10, in some examples, the base 18 of the head 14 includes a spring pin 50 that protrudes from an opening 52 in the base 18. A post 54 of the stanchion includes a corresponding opening 56 for receiving and engaging the spring pin 50. In some examples, to install the head 14 on the post 54, a portion of the spring pin 50 protruding from the opening 52 is depressed and the base 18 is inserted into the post 54 such that the protruding portion 50 of the spring pin 50 maintained in a depressed state by an interior surface of the post 54. The head 14 is screwed into post 54 (as is described above) until the protruding portion of the spring pin 50 aligns with the opening 56 in the post 54 and returns to its protruding state, protruding through the opening 56 in the post 54. In some examples, the opening 56 has an oval shape such that the head 14 can be rotated multiple times when screwing the head onto the post 54. As the head 14 is rotated, the spring pin 50 is periodically aligned with the opening 56 and is vertically displaced within the opening 56.

Referring to FIG. 11, the base 18 of the head 14 is shown inserted into the post 54 with the spring pin 50 extending through and engaged with the opening 56. A collar 58 disposed on the post 54 (with the post 10 extending through the collar 58) is movable along the post 54 such that can be moved to cover the visible part of the spring pin 50 and the opening 56.

Referring to FIG. 12, the base 18 of the head 14 is inserted into the post 54 with the spring pin 50 engaged with the opening 56 and covered by the collar 58. In some examples, the collar 58 attaches to the head 14 by screwing the collar onto the head 14 using a threaded connection (e.g., on the base 18). In some examples, the collar 58 attaches to the base 18 using a single-turn threaded connection. In another example, the collar 58 attaches to the head 14 using a snap connection.

Referring to FIG. 13, a bottom of the base 18 of the head 14 provides access to the spring pin 50. In some examples, the spring pin 50 includes a spring 60 (e.g., a leaf spring) and a pinhead 62. In general, the spring 60 is configured to force the pinhead 62 through the opening 52 in the base 18. Force can be applied to the pinhead 62 to push it back into the opening 52 in the base 18. When the force on the pinhead 62 is removed, the pinhead 62 will once again be forced through the opening 52 in the base 18.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a head comprising a retractable strap stored therein, said head comprising a cap and a base, wherein said base comprises a friction pad disposed on a surface thereof, said friction pad providing friction between said base and an inner surface of said stanchion when said base is inserted into a stanchion, and wherein said friction pad causes resistance of movement of said head relative to said stanchion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a recess that sized and shaped to conform to said friction pad and wherein said friction pad is seated within said recess.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said friction pad has a quadrilateral shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said friction pad is detachably removable from said base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said friction pad comprises rubber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said friction pad has a circular shape.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said friction pad has a corrugated surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head includes a spring pin and the stanchion includes an opening configured to receive a part of the spring pin, securing the head to the stanchion.

9. An apparatus comprising a head that encloses a retraction mechanism for retracting a strap that transitions between an extended state, in which said strap is outside said head, and a retracted state, in which said strap is inside said head, a base disposed at a distal end of said head, said base comprising a central recess, wherein said retraction mechanism comprises a spindle that extends along an axis of said housing and into said base and a bearing coupled to a distal end of said spindle such that said central recess receives said distal end of said spindly and said bearing, wherein said spindle and said bearing rotate relative to said central recess to cause said strap, an end of which is coupled to said spindle, to transition between said extended state and said retracted state.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said bearing is an annular bearing that comprises a central hole and wherein said spindle engages said bearing through said hole.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein friction between said bearing and said base is defined by a first friction coefficient, wherein friction between said spindle and said base is defined by a second friction coefficient, and wherein said first friction coefficient is less than said second friction coefficient.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said retraction mechanism comprises a strap chamber in which said strap is stored when said strap is in a retracted state and a spring chamber that encloses a spring coupled to said strap chamber for causing said strap chamber to rotate, wherein said strap chamber, said spindle, and said bearing rotate together, and wherein said spindle extends from said strap chamber and through said spring chamber.

13. An apparatus comprising a stanchion comprising a base and a pole that extends vertically upward from said base and heads for storing corresponding first and second extendable straps, said heads being at different distances from said base along said pole, wherein said pole comprises first and second sleeves that couple together to form said pole, wherein said first and second sleeves each comprise interior coupling members that engage each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interior coupling members comprise a male connector and a female connector that engages said male connector.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interior coupling members comprise a male connector and a female connector that engages said male connector.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said interior coupling members are coaxial.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first head is disposed at a junction between said first and second sleeves and wherein said second head is disposed at a top end of said second sleeve.