Easy install safety barrier

Abstract

A safety barrier that is adapted to be installed easily includes a frame with left and right vertical posts and horizontal posts, the horizontal posts having outer ends. A plurality of installation modules are mounted to the outer ends where each of the installation modules comprises a shaft in contact with a biasing member for urging the shaft inward toward the frame, a housing configured to be mounted to the outer ends and to receive an inward end of the shaft and a cam lever pivotally connected to the housing, wherein the lever engages the inward end of the shaft when the lever is in a locked position.

Description

EASY INSTALL SAFETY BARRIERCROSS-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 entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

[0003] Safety barriers are used as temporary barriers across doorways, stairways, windows and similar openings to prevent small children and animals from passing therethrough. In some instances, it may be cumbersome or difficult to install these safety barners across these various sidings or openings. Accordingly, there is a need for a safety barrier that is easy to install.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] A safety barrier that is adapted to be installed easily includes a frame with left and right vertical posts and horizontal posts, the horizontal posts having outer ends. A plurality of installation modules are mounted to the outer ends where each of the installation modules comprises a shaft in contact with a biasing member for urging the shaft inward toward the frame, a housing configured to be mounted to the outer ends and to receive an inward end of the shaft and a cam lever pivotally connected to the housing, wherein the lever engages the inward end of the shaft when the lever is in a locked position.

[0006] These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the follow ing 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

[0007] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures.

[0008] FIGS. 1 A-1B illustrate an embodiment of a safety barrier that is easy to install.

[0009] FIGS. 2A-2H are various images of an installation module for the safety barrier.

[0010] FIGS. 3A-3D are various images of the installation module according to another embodiment.

[0011] FIGS. 4A-4F are various steps of installing the safety barrier according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIGS. 5A-5H are various steps of installing the safety barrier according to yet another embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of an installation module.

[0014] FIG. 7 depicts the exemplary installation module of FIG. 6 in an assembled state.

[0015] FIG. 8 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a wall cup for use with the installation module of FIG. 6.

[0016] FIGs. 9A-9B show the installation module completely assembled.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 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 present invention 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.

[0018] 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 16 for accommodating a door 12. The door 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 door 12, it is understood that there can be more or fewer posts 14 as necessary depending on the dimension of the doorway, stairway or hallway. In addition, the door 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 door 12 can pivot and swing open to allow small children and animals to pass through. While the safety barrier 10 as show n appears to be substantially made of metal, it isunderstood that the safety7barrier 10 can be made of any suitable materials including w ood or plastic, to name a few7.

[0019] In one embodiment, the safety barrier 10 includes at least four installation modules 20 positioned about each comer 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 low er 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 doorway or passageway. In one embodiment, a safety7barrier 10 may only have installation modules about one side (e.g., 20A and 20C or left-hand side) of the safety7barrier 10. In another embodiment, the safety barrier 10 may only have installation modules 20B, 20D about the right-hand side.

[0020] FIGS. 2A-2H are various images of an installation module 20 for the safety7barrier 10 as coupled about portions of the frame such as posts 14. While only three installation modules 20 A, 20B, 20C are shown in these figures, it will be understood that the lower right installation module 20D will be substantially similar to the other three modules 20A, 20B, 20C. Each installation module 20 A, 20B, 20C generally includes a cup 21, a shaft 22 that is spring loaded, a contact plate 23 for which a user can exert force against (e.g., pulling force or pushing force), an installation or safety indicator 24 which can be optionally color-coded (e.g., red), a lever 25 which is used as a lock and release actuator, and an adhesive element 26 which may optionally include a fastening adhesive or similar material. In some embodiments, as described in greater detail below7, cup 21 may be attached to a wall w ith a fastener.

[0021] Reference is now made to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrating the lower left installation module 20C and the upper right installation module 20B, respectively, coupled about portions of the frame such as posts 14 of the safety barrier 10. In both instances, each installation module 20B, 20C generally includes the cup 21 which can be mounted and secured to doorway or siding. Adjacent the cup 21 is a safety or color-coded installation indicator 24, which can be visually apparent when the installation module 20B, 20C is not securely fastened (as currently shown) and which will not be visible when the installation module 20B, 20C is securely fastened. Adjacent the indicator 24 is a contact plate 23 which allows a user to push thereupon along the length of the shaft 22. In the alternative, a user can also pull on the contact plate 23 to uncouple the shaft 22 as well as the installation indicator 24 from the cup 21, which is received within a recess therein. Adjacent the contact plate 23 is a shaft 22 which can be integrally molded together with the contact plate 23 (and optionally, integrally molded with the indicator 24). The shaft 22 as currently shown in the figures is in an extended configuration. In the alternative, the shaft 22 can also be in a retracted configuration, which will be shown and discussed in more detail below. About an opposite end to cup 21 is a lever 25 which can be actuated to lock and unlock the shaft 22 against the cup 21. The lever 25 as currently shown in the figures is in the unlocked position. In other words, the lever 25 and the shaft 22 are substantially perpendicular to each other. The lever 25 can be actuated to a locked position such that the lever 25 and the shaft 22 are substantially parallel. This, along with all the other elements described above, will be shown and discussed in more detail below.

[0022] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2C-2H which illustrate various modes of manipulating the upper left installation module 20A as coupled about portions of the frame such as posts 14 of the safety barrier 10. As shown, the installation module 20A includes a cup 21, installation indicator 24, contact plate 23 and a lever 25. In these instances, one end of the cup 21 includes an adhesive element 26 such as a sticky film. The adhesive element 26 allows the installationmodule 20 to be readily adhered to the doorw ay or opening and facilitates in the installation process. In addition, the adhesive element 26 also helps to prevent damage to the doorway or siding by preventing scratches and / or dents as a result of the cup 21. In some embodiments, the adhesive element 26 may be a rubber material that provides frictional engagement with the doorway or siding. In all of these figures, the shaft 22 is in the retracted configuration and not visible. This is so that the overall width dimension of the safety barrier 10 starts off smaller or narrow er than the opening or doorway and the shaft 22 can subsequently be extended by pushing on the contact plate 23 thereby causing the shaft 22 to be in the extended configuration in order to accommodate the width of the opening or doorw ay to ensure that the safety barrier 10 is properly installed and received therein. This will become more apparent in subsequent figures and discussion.

[0023] In FIG. 2C, the lever 25 is in an unlocked configuration whereby the lever 25 is substantially perpendicular to the shaft 22 or in this instance, the lever 25 is further away from the cup 21 than it would be if it w as in the locked configuration, which is best illustrated in FIG. 2D. In that instance, the lever 25 is actuated such that the lever 25 is substantially closer to the cup 21 than if it was in the unlocked configuration (compare FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D). While the lever 25 mechanism as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D are for the unlocked configuration and the locked configuration, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various locking mechanism can be implement for the lever 25 (e.g., electronic on / off button). Regardless of the ty pe of locking mechanism, the intent of the lever 25 is to ensure that once the installation module 20 is securely fastened in place, it cannot accidentally collapse or detach from the doorway or siding. In other words, frictional, mechanical and / or other electronic engagement mechanisms ensure that the shaft 22 is locked and cannot be freely retracted or moved about.

[0024] FIG. 2E and FIG. 2G are substantially similar but just different perspective views of the installation module 20 A, while FIG. 2F and FIG. 2H are substantially similar but also just different perspective views of the installation module 20 A. As best illustrated in FIG. 2G, a surface of the cup 21 adjacent to the contact plate 23 can be substantially flush with the contact plate 23 such that the installation indicator 24 is not visible. This provides the visual cue that the installation module 20A is securely installed to the doorway or siding, and that the lever 25 can now be actuated as a securing mechanism. In the alternative, as best illustrated in FIG. 2H, if the contact plate 23 and the cup 21 are not substantially flush, the installation indicator 24 can be visible such one can see the visual cue that the installation module 20A is not properly secured, and that one should not actuate the lever 25 as a secondary securing mechanism. The installation indicator 24 also provides the visual clue that additional force is necessary to be exerted against the contact plate 23 until the contact plate 23 becomes flush with the cup 21 and the installation indicator 24 is no longer visible.

[0025] FIGS. 3A-3D are various images of the installation module 20A according to another embodiment. In these instances, instead of having only the adhesive element 26 be attached to the doorway or siding surface 30, additional fasteners such as screws or nails may also be utilized. Reference is now made to FIG. 3A which is substantially similar to that of FIG. 2F and FIG. 2H as discussed above. However, in FIG. 3A, the installation module 20A has now been mounted to the doorway or siding surface 30. In this embodiment, the visual indicator 24 is still visible and the lever 25 is in the unlocked configuration. The installation of the installation module 20A to the doorway or siding surface 30 will be discussed in more detail in subsequent figures and discussion and will not be elaborated further herein.

[0026] Reference is now made to FIG. 3B which illustrates that when sufficient pulling force is applied to the contact plate 23, the shaft 22 along with the contact plate 23 and the installationindicator 24 can be decoupled from the cup 21, e.g., the shaft 22 can be “popped"’ out of the cup 21. In other words, the shaft 22 can be actuated forward and / or backward with respect to the cup 21: forward (or into the cup 21) for securing the shaft 22 to the cup 21, and backward (or out of the cup 21) for releasing the shaft 22 from the cup 21. As shown in FIG. 3B, when sufficient force is exerted on the contact plate 23, a spring 28 (connected to the shaft 22) can be seen as received within a recess 27 of the cup 21. In one embodiment, the shaft 22 (and the corresponding spring 28) can be locked to the cup 21 with a cam-type lock. Alternatively, the shaft 22 (and the corresponding spring 28) can be locked to the cup 21 with other suitable locking mechanism or fastener including bolt connectors or quick disconnects, to name a few. In yet another embodiment, the shaft 22 is a lock and release tension bolt with an over-the- center lock to the cup 21. In other words, the spring-loaded 28 shaft 22 can be “snapped” onto the cup 21.

[0027] Once the spring-loaded 28 shaft 22 has been detached or decoupled from the cup 21, additional fastener such as screws or nails, among other fasteners, may be received within the cup 21, for added security with this addition hardware (not shown). This can be accomplished by driving such fastener through the recess 27 and onto the surface 30 of the doorway or siding with, for example, hammer or screwdriver. The additional fastener provides additional securing force to further ensure that the cup 21 and the installation module 20 will be securely mounted to the doorway or siding surface 30. Once additional fasteners have been provided, the spring- loaded 28 shaft 22 may be re-attached to the cup 21 as shown in FIG. 3C. Next, in FIG. 3D, when properly installed, the red indicator 24 is no longer visible as the contact plate 23 is substantially flush with the cup 21. In addition, the lever 25 may be actuated to the locked position whereby the lever 25 is parallel with the shaft 22.

[0028] FIGS. 4A-4F are various steps of installing the safety barrier 10 according to an embodiment. As show n in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a user places the lower portion of the safety barrier 10 on the floor adjacent the doorway or opening surface 30 for which the safety barrier 10 will be mounted thereto. The low er portion of the safety barrier 10 includes the lower left installation module 20C and the lower right installation module 20D, the installation modules 20C, 20D similar to those described above and will not be elaborated further herein. Once situated or positioned, the frame 14 of the safety barrier 10 functions as a template or alignment tool in facilitating the installation process. In other words, no additional tools such as rulers or straight edges are required, and a user need merely lay the safety barrier 10 in between the doorway or opening as best shown in FIG. 4B. The safety barrier 10 and the frame (e.g., posts 14) serve as the straight edge to ensure that the safety barrier 10 will be properly aligned. In other words, the frame of the safety barrier 10 allows a user to center the safety7barrier 10 within the doorw ay or opening and serves as a template for lining up the cups 21 .

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the cups 21 of the installation module 20C, 20D are the elements that are closest to the installation surfaces 30. Once aligned and ready, the protective film on the surface of the adhesive element 26 may be removed therefrom such that the adhesive element 26 can now engage the surface 30 as best illustrated in FIG. 4A.

[0030] FIG. 4C show s the shaft 22 in the retracted configuration and not visible similar to those shown in FIGS. 2C-2H. An actuating force can be exerted on the contact plate 23 to extend the shaft 22, which is now7visible as best illustrated in FIG. 4D. In doing so, the cup 21 is also actuated or pushed toward the installation surface 30. The cup 21 can engage and adhere to the installation surface 30 via the adhesive element 26, and more specifically, via the adhesive or glue element thereon. Once adhered, the cup 21 will not slide or move about the installation surface 30 and this further ensures that alignment remains accurate. In the alternative, theadhesive element 26 may be a rubber material which can frictionally engage the installation surface 30 without the need of any adhesive or glue element.

[0031] Next, additional forces can be continued to be applied (e.g., on the contact plate 23) such that the visual indicator 24 is no longer visible as best illustrated in FIG. 4E. By comparing FIG. 4D and FIG. 4E, one can see that as additional forces are being applied on the contact plate 23 to the point that the contact plate 23 and the surface of the cup 21 adjacent the contact plate 23 becomes flush and the visible indicator 24 is no longer visible. Next, the lever 25 may be actuated to ensure that the shaft 22 is locked and the contact plate 23 remains securely flush with the cup 21. The lever 25 for securing the shaft 22 can be a frictional or mechanical locking engagement as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art and will not be discussed in more detail herein. As a visual indicator, when the lever 25 and the shaft 22 are substantially parallel, the lever 25 is in the locked mode and the installation of the installation module 20D to the doorway or siding surface 30 is now complete as best illustrated in FIG. 4F.

[0032] The above installation steps as described for the lower right installation module 20D can be repeated for the lower left installation module 20C and therefore will not be discussed in further detail herein. In some embodiments, while the steps as described are for completion of one installation module 20D before moving to the other installation module 20C, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the installation process can be completed by alternating steps between the different installation modules 20C, 20D.

[0033] For example, from FIG. 4B. after the safety barrier 10 has been placed or positioned and in proper alignment with the wall surfaces 30, a user can first actuate the shaft 22 of the lower left installation module 20C such that the cup 21 of the lower left installation module 20C contacts and adheres to one side of the wall surface 30 of the doorway or opening, but the visual indicator 24 may still be visible. Next, the user may switch to the lower right installationmodule 20D and actuate the shaft 22 of the lower right installation module 20D such that the cup 21 of the lower right installation module 20D contacts and adheres to the opposite side of the wall surface 30 of the doorway or opening, also leaving the visual indicator 24 visible. In this instance, by causing the cup 21 to be adhered to one wall surface 30 about one side first and then the opposite side provides the user with the flexibility to make alignment adjustments, as necessary, to ensure that the safety barrier 10 will be properly installed and aligned within the doorway or opening.

[0034] Next, in some embodiments, once the cups 21 are adhered to the wall surfaces 30, a user may then return to either installation module 20C, 20D, and proceed with the installation process as described above. For example, additional forces can be exerted to cause the contact surfaces 23 of each respective installation module 20C, 20D to become flush with its respective cups 21, followed by actuating of the levers 25 to ensure that the secondary securing mechanism of each respective installation module 20C, 20D are now in place. It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that when the contact plate 23 is flush with the cup 21, this can be considered to be a first securing mechanism and that the installation module 20C, 20D for all its intent and purposes may be considered to be securely fastened. In other words, the secondary securing mechanism (e.g., lever 25) may not be necessary.

[0035] FIGS. 5A-5H are various steps of installing the safety gate according to yet another embodiment. In one embodiment, the steps shown in these figures are a continuation of the installation process as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. In the alternative, while the lower portion of the safety barrier 10 can be installed to the installation surfaces 30 followed by the upper portion of the safety barrier 10 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5H, it is possible that the upper portion of the safety barrier 10 can be installed to the installation surfaces 30 first followed by the lowerportion of the safety barrier 10. In other words, the installation steps in FIG. 5A-5H can precede and be followed by the steps in FIGS. 4A-4F, or vice versa.

[0036] Returning now to FIGS. 5A-5H, the lower portion of the safety barrier 10 is assumed to already be installed to the wall surfaces 30 and a user is now ready to install the upper portion of the safety barrier 10 which includes the installation modules 20A, 20B similar to those described above and will not be elaborated further herein.|00371 As shown in FIG. 5A, the protective film on the surface of the adhesive element 26 may be removed therefrom such that the adhesive element 26 can now engage the surface 30 similar to that described above in FIG. 4A. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the safety barrier 10 can be raised upwardly so that the upper installation modules 20A, 20B may be coupled to the corresponding portions of the wall surfaces 30 and the safety barrier 10 is properly and vertically aligned within the doorway or passageway.

[0038] Like the steps described above in FIGS. 4C-4F, FIGS. 5C-5F show substantially similar steps except that the installation steps are for the upper right installation module 20B. In this embodiment, the shaft 22 of the installation module 20B can be actuated from its initial retracted configuration (FIG. 5C) to an extended configuration (FIG. 5D). In both configurations, the installation indicator 24 is still visible which is indicative that the installation is not yet complete and that the safety barrier 10 is not yet safe for use. Additional forces can be exerted until the contact plate 23 is substantially flush with the cup 21 (FIG. 5E) and the lever 25 can ultimately be actuated to lock the shaft 22 in place (FIG. 5F). And similar to that described above, the installation process can be completed for one installation module 20B before moving to another installation module 20A, or a user can alternate between the two modules 20A, 20B.

[0039] FIG. 5G illustrates a substantially completed installation of the safety barrier 10 as mounted between the installation surfaces 30 of a doorway or opening, and FIG. 5H illustrates a door 12 of the safety banner 10 pivoting and swinging open therefrom. Disclosed herein is an embodiment of a safety barrier 10 having a plurality of installation modules 20 that is not only easy to install between openings of a doorway or similar structures, it can be accomplished without the need of external tools including without limitation nilers or straight edges as the frame and structure of the safety barri er 10 serves as a template or alignment tool to facilitate the installation process.

[0040] In one embodiment, as described above, while the lower portion of the safety bander 10 can be installed first followed by the upper portion of the safety b rri er 10, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the installation can also be reversed and that the upper portion of the safety barrier 10 can be installed first followed by the lower portion of the safety barrier 10.

[0041] In some embodiments, while four installation modules 20 are described and shown in FIGS. 5G-5H, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the safety barrier 10 may only have two installation modules (e.g., 20A and 20B, 20A and 20C, 20B and 20C, 20B and 20D). In other words, the safety barrier 10 can be a “swinging gate” and that only one side of the safety bander 10 is mounted or fastened to the wall surfaces 30. In those embodiments, the installation module 20 can be substantially similar to those described herein and the installation process can take place by, for example, installing either the upper right installation module 20B followed by the lower right installation modules 20D, or vice versa. In this instance, once again because of the frame of the safety barrier 10, no additional alignment tools are necessary and the safety barrier 10 itself can serve as a vertical indicator to ensure proper vertical alignment of the safety bander 10 about the wall surface. In some embodiments, once installed, the door12 of the safety barrier 10 can still pivot and swing open similar to that as shown in FIG. 5H, even though the safety barrier 10 only has two installation modules 20B, 20D.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, after the safety barrier 10 has been substantially installed as shown in FIG. 5G, additional hardware may be added for additional safety following the embodiments as substantially shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. In this embodiment, the shafts 22 of each installation module 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may be “popped out” of its respective cup 21. This can be accomplished by actuating the levers 25 from its locked to unlocked configuration (e.g., FIG. 3A). Next, the shafts 22 may be detached substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 3B. Once the shaft 22 from each of the installation modules 20 has been removed from its respective cup 21, the safety barrier 10 can be moved out of the way leaving only the four cups 21 mounted to the installation surfaces 30 (not shown). Nails, screws or other fasteners as described above can be inserted through the rim or recess 27 of the cup 21 as the additional hardware being provided to ensure additional strengthening of the cup 21 to the installation surface 30 and to ensure that the cups 21 do not fall off or become readily detached when accidentally contacted. Once the nails or screws are in place, the shafts 22 may be reinserted into the respective cups 21 as best shown in FIG. 3C, followed by engagement of the contact plate 23 flush with the cup 21 and actuating of the lever 25 to its locked configuration as best shown in FIG. 3D. The process can be repeated for all the installation modules 20 until the safety barrier 10 is substantially reinstalled as shown in FIG. 5G.

[0043] In this embodiment, the addition of the extra hardware does not alter the external visual appearance of the safety barrier 10 in any way and can be included as an optional step in the installation process if additional securing mechanism is desired or needed.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a further exemplary embodiment of installation module 20’, showing its assembly in detail. Installation module 20’ may comprise a housing 601configured with a bore hole 602 for receiving shaft 22 and preferably comprises an inward portion shaped and dimensioned to be received within hollow ends of horizontal posts MEMO. Housing 601 is also configured with arcuate wings 605 to which is pivotally connected cam lever 25 with an integral cam 613. A soft pad 607 is seated between wings 605 such that it is interposed between cam 613 and shaft 22. To prevent damage to the pad 607, a protective flange 609 may be inserted between cam 613 and pad 607. Cam 613 is shaped such that when lever 25 is oriented parallel to the shaft, as shown in FIG. 6, it causes pad to abut shaft 22 frictionally engaging shaft 22 and preventing shaft 22 from moving. When lever 25 is rotated perpendicular to shaft 22, cam releases shaft 22 allowing shaft 22 to slide longitudinally within bore hole 602.

[0045] Toward the outward end for the module, a biasing member 615 is provided inside cap 611 with an inward end seated against safety indicator 24 which is attached to the outer surface of contact plate 23. Biasing member 615 urges the safety indicator inward and cap 611 outward. A retaining ring 619 is seated within an annular groove near an inward end of shaft 22 to retain shaft 22 within bore hole. FIG. 7 shows an assembled installation module 20’.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a fiirther embodiment of a wall cup 21 ’ that is configured with a recess 804 for receiving the outward end of cap 611. In the bottom of recess 804 is defined a hole 802 for receiving a fastener (not shown) such that wall cup 21 ’ may be attached to a wall or door jamb. Wall cup 21’ is further configured with a shoulder section 806 that is shaped to receive contact plate 23.

[0047] FIGs. 9A & 9B show installation module 20’ with cap 611 inserted into recess 804 of wall cup 21’. Cam lever 25 is substantially perpendicular indicating that it is unlocked and shaft 22 is free to slide within bore hole 602. As such, biasing member 615 presses safety indicator 24 away from wall cup 21 ’ showing the module 20’ is not seated and locked. To seatthe module 20’ properly, contact plate 23 is pressed into shoulder section 806 which compresses biasing member 615 moving safety indicator 24 into recess 804. At this point, cam lever 25 may be rotated to be substantially parallel with shaft 22 locking shaft 22 in place within bore hole 602. Safety indicator should be hidden within recess 804 indicating module 20’ is seated properly.

[0048] 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 systems were 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 safety barrier comprising: a frame having left and right vertical posts and horizontal posts, the barrier having outer ends; and a plurality of installation modules mounted to the outer ends, each of the installation modules being configured with a biased shaft and a locking mechanism for preventing the shaft from moving inward with respect to the barrier.

2. The safety barrier of Claim 1, wherein each of the plurality7of installation modules further comprises a wall cup disposed at an outer end of the shaft.

3. The safety barrier of Claim 2, wherein the wall cup is attached to a wall.

4. The safety barrier of Claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of installation modules further compnses a safety indicator.

5. The safety barrier of Claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam lever.

6. The safety7barrier of Claim 1, wherein each of the plurality7of installation modules further comprises a housing configured to be mounted to the outer ends of the horizontal posts.

7. The safety barrier of Claim 1, wherein the horizontal posts comprise upper and lower horizontal posts.

8. The safety barrier of Claim 7, wherein the plurality of installation modules is four installation modules.

9. The safety barrier of Claim 8, wherein each of the plurality' of installation modules further comprises a wall cup disposed at an outer end of the shaft.

10. The safety barrier of Claim 9, wherein the wall cup is attached to a wall.

11. The safety barrier of Claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of installation modules further comprises a safety indicator.

12. The safety barrier of Claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam lever.

13. A safety' barrier configured to be installed easily, the barrier having a frame with left and right vertical posts and horizontal posts, the barrier having outer ends, the barrier comprising: a plurality of installation modules mounted to the outer ends, each of the installation modules comprising: a shaft in contact with a biasing member for urging the shaft inward toward the frame; a housing configured to be mounted to the outer ends and to receive an inward end of the shaft; and a cam lever pivotally connected to the housing, wherein the cam lever engages the inward end of the shaft when the lever is in a locked position.

14. The safety' barrier of Claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of installation modules further comprises a wall cup disposed at an outer end of the shaft, the wall cup being attached to a wall.

15. The safety barrier of Claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of installation modules further comprises a safety7indicator.

16. The safety barrier of Claim 12. wherein the horizontal posts comprise upper and lower horizontal posts.

17. The safety barrier of Claim 16, wherein the plurality of installation modules is four installation modules.

18. The safety barrier of Claim 17, wherein each of the plurality7of installation modules further comprises a wall cup disposed at an outer end of the shaft.

19. The safety7barrier of Claim 18, wherein each of the plurality7of installation modules further comprises a safety7indicator.

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