Safety barrier with easy open gate

Abstract

A safety barrier that is easy to open comprises a lateral vertical frame member having upper and lower recesses opening toward the interior of the barrier. The barrier further includes a barrier with a latch mechanism comprising a vertically-oriented linkage bar with a bottom plate having a slot defined therein and configured to be displaceable in the vertical plane and a release bar having a tab slidably engaged within the slot. Upper and lower outwardly biased pins are connected to a upper and lower parts of the linkage bar and extend laterally outward engaging the upper and lower recesses. The pins are configured to be displaceable in the horizontal plane.

Description

SAFETY BARRIER WITH EASY OPEN GATECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 486,609, filed February 23, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to safety barriers, and more specifically, to safety barriers with barriers that are easy to open.BACKGROUND

[0003] Safety barriers are used as temporary barriers across gateways, stairways, windows and similar openings to prevent small children and animals from passing therethrough. In some instances, it may be difficult to access or open barriers associated with the banders when your hands are preoccupied with for example grocery, a baby or other items. Accordingly, there is a need for a safety barrier that is easy to open.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] Disclosed in an embodiment is a barrier that can be opened without the use of hands. The gate of the safety barrier can pivot open via a release bar near the bottom of the safety barrier using a user’s foot. In one embodiment, the release bar can be in the middle or top of the safety barrier and can be release bared with other parts of the body such as an elbow. In one embodiment, by actuating the release bar, a vertical linkage within the frame of the gate can cause pins to be retracted from recesses on the frame of the barrier thereby allowing the gate to pivot and swing open. In some embodiments, the gate can pivot open by actuating alatch near the top of the safety barrier and actuating the gate of the barrier thereby causing pins to be retracted via a similar mechanism as described above thus allowing the gate to easily and efficiently pivot and swing open.

[0006] A safety bander that is easy to open comprises a lateral vertical frame member having upper and lower recesses opening toward the interior of the barrier. The barrier further includes a barrier with a latch mechanism comprising a vertically-oriented linkage bar with a bottom plate having a slot defined therein and configured to be displaceable in the vertical plane and a release bar having a tab slidably engaged within the slot. Upper and lower outwardly biased pins are connected to upper and lower parts of the linkage bar and extend laterally outward engaging the upper and lower recesses. The pins are configured to be displaceable in the horizontal plane.

[0007] These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects as claimed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention will be more frilly understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures.

[0009] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an embodiment of a safety barrier that is easy to install.

[0010] FIGS. 2A-2H illustrate an embodiment of a safety barrier that is easy to open.

[0011] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate another embodiment of a safety barrier that is easy to open.

[0012] FIGs. 4A-4B depict upper and lower pin assemblies in an embodiment of the gate for the safety barrier.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.

[0014] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an embodiment of a safety barrier 10 that is easy to install. As shown, the safety barrier 10 includes a spacing or opening 12 for accommodating a gate 12. The gate 12 of the safety barrier 10 can be coupled to various frame elements such as vertical posts 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D or horizontal posts 14E. While two vertical posts 14 are shown on each side of the gate 12, it is understood that there can be more or fewer posts 14 as necessary depending on the dimension of the gateway, stairway or hallway. In addition, the gate 12 can be mounted to the posts 14 or other parts of the frame of the safety barrier 10 via suitable mechanisms such as hinges and latches and will not be described further herein. Access can be gained when the gate 12 can pivot and swing open to allow small children and animals to pass through. While the safety barrier 10 as shown appears to be substantially made of metal, it is understood that the safety barrier 10 can be made of any suitable materials including wood or plastic, to name a few.

[0015] In one embodiment, the safety barrier 10 includes at least four installation modules 20 positioned about each corner of the safety barrier 10. For example, the disclosed safety barrier 10 includes an upper left installation module 20A, an upper right installation module 20B, a lower left installation module 20C, and a lower right installation module 20D. While four installation modules 20 are shown with two installation modules about an upper portion of the safety barrier 10 and two about a lower portion of the safety barrier 10, in some embodiments, the safety barrier 10 may only have the upper installation modules 20A, 20B or the lower installation modules 20C, 20D for the installation of the safety barrier 10 to a gateway or passageway. In one embodiment, a safety barrier 10 may only have installation modules about one side (e.g., 20A and 20C or left-hand side) of the safety barrier 10. In another embodiment, the safety barrier 10 may only have installation modules 20B, 20D about the right-hand side.

[0016] FIGS. 2A-2H illustrate an embodiment of a safety barrier 10 that is easy to open. As best shown in FIG. 2A, the safety barrier 10 includes a gate 12 pivotably mounted (e.g., via hinges) to a frame 24, and a slide lock 21 for securing the gate 12 to the frame 24. In one embodiment, the safety barrier 10 includes a latch mechanism operative by a release bar 23 positioned about a bottom or lower portion of the gate 12. The release bar 23 can be actuated with a user’s foot as a foot opening mechanism, or other parts of the user’s body (e.g., elbow).While the release bar 23 is shown to be near the bottom or lower portion of the gate 12, it will be appreciated that the release bar 23 can also be situated about a top or upper portion of the gate 12 such that the release bar 23 can be actuated without using hands (e.g., elbow). This may be of particular interest especially when the user’s hands are preoccupied with grocery or baby, among other objects. In yet another embodiment, the release bar 23 can also be actuated or operated with a user’s hands. In one embodiment, the foot opening mechanism can be on the side of the safety barrier 10 where the slide lock 21 is rather than the hinge side (not shown), which will be the opposite side of the gate 12.

[0017] As show in FIG. 2B, the release bar 23 can be operatively coupled to a vertical linkage 25, which can also be a part of the gate 12. Actuating the release bar 23 will cause the vertical linkage 25 to engage certain elements, which in turn can engage or disengage other elements thereby allowing the gate 12 of the safety barrier 10 to swing open. This will be described in more detail in subsequent figures and discussion.

[0018] FIGS. 2C-2E illustrate the mechanism for releasing a lower portion of the gate 12 from the frame 24 while FIGS. 2F-2G illustrate the mechanism for releasing an upper portion of the gate 12 from the frame 24. As shown in FIG. 2C, the release bar 23 includes a tab 26, which can optionally be an integrated part of the release bar 23 while the vertical linkage 25 includes a plate 27, which can optionally be an integrated part of the vertical linkage 25. The plate 27 can be part of the vertical linkage 25 and has an slot for accommodating the tab 26. While the lower and upper portions are shown and discussed separately, it will be appreciated that the gate opening mechanism is integral as the vertical linkage 25 is an integral component. The separation of the portions is purely for illustrative purposes.

[0019] In the locked configuration (e.g., gate 12 is locked to the frame 24) as shown in FIG. 2C, a lower pin 28B of the gate 12 is engaged with a lower recess 29B of the frame 24. And it is this engagement where the pin 28B is received within the recess 29B that is preventing the gate 12 from swinging freely from the frame 24. When the pin 28B extends into the recess 29B, the gate 12 is locked to the frame 24. When the pin 28B retracts out of the recess 29B, the gate 12 can be unlocked from the frame 24 and can therefore freely pivot and swing about. The pin 28B can be slidably and mechanically engaged with the vertical linkage 25.

[0020] To unlock the gate 12 from the frame 24, the release bar 23 can be actuated as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2D. In one embodiment, while the arrow is shown to point to the right, itwill be understood and appreciated that the release bar 23 can be actuated in any direction depending on the location of the slot of the plate 27.

[0021] Returning now to FIG. 2D, once the release bar 23 is actuated toward the right as shown in the figure, the corresponding tab 26 is also actuated toward the same direction. In this instance, the tab 26 moves from its initial position in FIG. 2C to this intermediate position as shown in FIG. 2D. Next, as a result of the slot of the plate 27, the tab 26 is

[0022] In other words, while the tab 26 was previously housed within one end of the slot of the plate 27, by moving the tab 26 to the middle of the slot, the tab 26 can slide / slip to what is now the opposite end of the slot, which in turn can allow the vertical linkage 25 to move since the plate 27 is integrated as a part of the vertical linkage 25.

[0023] In operation, once the vertical linkage 25 moves upward, because it is slidably and mechanically engaged with the pin 28B, the vertical linkage 25 can cause the pin 28B to retract from the recess 29B as best illustrated in FIG. 2E. Once retracted, the lower pin 28B of the gate 12 is no longer engaged with the lower recess 29B of the frame 24. Accordingly, the lower portion of the gate 12 can now freely move with respect to the frame 24.

[0024] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2F-2G which illustrate the mechanism for releasing an upper portion of the gate 12 from the frame 24. FIG. 2F shows the locked configuration (e.g., gate 12 is locked to the frame 24) whereby an upper pin 28A of the gate 12 is engaged with an upper recess 29A of the frame 24 similar to that of the lower pin / recess 28B / 29B combination as discussed above. When the vertical linkage 25 move upwardly as a result of the tab 26 and the slot of the plate 27 as discussed above, and because the upper portion of the vertical linkage 25 is slidably and mechanically engaged with the upper pin 28A, it similarly causes the upper pin 28A to retract from the upper recess 29A as best illustrated in FIG. 2G. Accordingly, as the upper pin 28A disengages or retracts from the upper recess 29A, the upper portion of the gate 12 can now freely move with respect to the frame 24, as best illustrated in FIG. 2H. In this instance, this can be accomplished even if the slide lock 21 is in its extended and locked position. In other words, there is no need to initially unlock the safety barrier 10 with the slide lock 21 and that the foot opening mechanism can nevertheless allow the gate 12 of the safety barrier 10 to be able to pivot and swing open without having to first disengage the slide lock 21.

[0025] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate another embodiment of a safety barrier 10 that is easy to open. As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, a user initially disengages the slide lock 21 by a retracting action (compare FIG. 2G and FIG. 3A). Once disengaged, the gate 12 of the safety barrier 10 can be actuated upwardly as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3B. One need not push the entire gate 12 upwardly but only the portion of the gate 12 closest to the slide lock 21. Because the pin 28 and the tapered profile of the corresponding recess 29 (as best illustrated by the dotted circle), the pin 28 can slide upwardly and out of the recess 29 when the gate 12 is actuated upwardly. This can be accomplished by a user’s hand or foot. Once the pin 28 slides upwardly and out of the recess 29, the gate 12 can then pivot and swing open similar to that shown in FIG. 2H. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that while only the upper pin 28A and the upper recess 29A are shown in FIG. 3B, the corresponding lower pin 28B and the lower recess 29B will correspondingly behave the same since both recesses 29 have the similar tapered profile. It will be further appreciated by one skilled in the art that this upward movement of the gate 12 involves an actual force being applied to the frame of the gate 12, while the previous foot opening mechanism as described above in FIGS. 2A-2H involves release baring via a vertical linkage 25. Hence, this manual actuation of the gate 12 can occur even if the tab 26 is in its locked position as shown in FIG. 2C, and that the foot opening mechanism of FIGS. 3A-3B need not require the movement of the tab 26 from that shown in FIG. 2C to FIG. 2D before the gate 12 of the safety barrier 10 can pivot and swing freely open. In some embodiments, various combinations of the gate opening mechanisms as shown in FIGS. 2A-2H and FIGS. 3A-3B may be utilized.

[0026] FIGs. 4A and 4B depict the upper and lower pin assemblies respectively, showing pins 28A, 28B biased outward with respective biasing members 41, 47 engaged the inward ends of the pins 28A, 28B. Also shown, in an exemplary embodiment, a vertical biasing member 43 may be including to urge vertical linkage 25 downward. Similarly, a horizontal biasing member 45 may be installed to urge the release bar 23 toward the interior of the barrier 10.

[0027] While example embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the embodiments encompassed by the appended claims. For example, other useful implementations could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and / or if components in the disclosed systemswere combined in a different manner and / or replaced or supplemented by other components.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A latch mechanism for a barrier, the barrier hingedly mounted to a first lateral vertical frame member, the latch mechanism comprising: a vertically-oriented linkage bar, the linkage bar comprising a bottom plate having a slot defined therein and configured to be displaceable in the vertical plane: a release bar having a tab slidably engaged within the slot; a first pin connected to an upper part of the linkage bar and extending laterally toward a second lateral vertical frame member, the pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane and biased outward, the pin further having an outward end for engaging an upper recess associated with an upper portion of the second vertical frame member; and a second pin connected to a lower part of the linkage bar and extending laterally toward the second lateral vertical frame member, the pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane and biased outward, the pin further having an outward end for engaging a lower recess associated with a lower portion of the second vertical frame member; and wherein displacing the vertically-oriented linkage bar upward causes the first and second pins to displace laterally inward.

2. The latch mechanism of Claim 1, wherein the upper and lower recesses are configured with vertical ramps.

3. A barrier comprising: a first lateral vertical frame member; a second lateral vertical frame member having upper and lower recesses opening toward an interior side of the second lateral vertical frame member; a barrier having a first end hingedly attached to the first lateral vertical frame member and a second end; and a latch mechanism associated with the second end, the latch mechanism comprising:a vertically-oriented linkage bar, the linkage bar comprising a bottom plate having a slot defined therein and configured to be displaceable in the vertical plane; a release bar having a tab slidably engaged within the slot; a first pin connected to an upper part of the linkage bar and extending laterally toward the second lateral vertical frame member, the pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane and biased outward, the pin further having an outward end for engaging the upper recess; and a second pin connected to a lower part of the linkage bar and extending laterally toward the second lateral vertical frame member, the pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane and biased outward, the pin further having an outward end for engaging the lower recess; and wherein displacing the vertically-oriented linkage bar upward causes the first and second pins to displace laterally inward allowing the barrier to open.

4. The barrier of Claim 3, wherein the upper and lower recesses are configured with vertical ramps such that engagement of the ramps with the first and second pins causes the pins to displace inward.

5. A latch mechanism for a barrier, the barrier having a vertical frame member, the latch mechanism operable to be unlatched by being displaced vertically and comprising: a vertically displaceable bar; and a first pin extending outward from an upper portion of the bar and having an outwardly biased end engageable with a first recess associated with an upper portion of the vertical frame member, the first pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane; and wherein upward displacement of the bar causes the first pin to disengage from the first recess.

6. The latch mechanism of Claim 5, further comprising:a second pin extending outward from lower portion of the bar and having an outwardly biased end engageable with a second recess associated with a lower portion of the vertical frame member, the second pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane; and wherein upward displacement of the bar causes the second pin to disengage from the second recess.

7. The latch mechanism of Claim 5, further comprising: a plate associated with the bar, the plate having a slot defined therein.

8. The latch mechanism of Claim 7, further comprising: a bar having a tab slidably engaged within the slot.

9. The latch mechanism of Claim 8, further comprising: a second pin extending outward from lower portion of the linkage and having an outwardly biased end engageable with a second recess associated with a lower portion of the vertical frame member, the second pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane; and wherein upward displacement of the linkage causes the second pin to disengage from the second recess.

10. The latch mechanism of Claim 9, wherein the upper and lower recesses are configured with vertical ramps such that engagement of the ramps with the first and second pins causes the pins to displace inward.

11. A latch mechanism for a barrier, the barrier hingedly mounted to a first lateral vertical frame member, the latch mechanism comprising: a vertically-oriented linkage bar, the linkage bar comprising a bottom plate having a slot defined therein and configured to be displaceable in the vertical plane; a release bar having a tab slidably engaged within the slot; andat least one pin connected to the linkage bar and extending laterally toward a second lateral vertical frame member, the pin being displaceable in the horizontal plane and biased outward, the pin further having an outward end for engaging at least one recess associated with the second vertical frame member; and wherein displacing the vertically-oriented linkage bar upward causes the at least one pin to displace laterally inward.

12. The latch mechanism of Claim 11, wherein the at least one pin comprises: a first pin connected to an upper portion of the linkage bar; and a second pin connected to a lower portion of the linkage bar.

13. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1, wherein the at least one recess is configured with a vertical ramp such that engagement of the ramp with at least one pin causes the pin to displace inward.

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