초록

A retractable barrier system comprises a plurality of barrier posts interconnectable by flexible barrier material, and a dispenser device upon which the posts can be carried and from which the posts can be dispensed, in sequence, to erect a barrier.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A retractable barrier system for temporary pedestrian guidance comprising: a plurality of upright, free-standing barrier posts, first and second ones of said upright posts being interconnectable by a first length of elongate flexible barrier material and second and thir

The invention claimed is: 1. A retractable barrier system for temporary pedestrian guidance comprising: a plurality of upright, free-standing barrier posts, first and second ones of said upright posts being interconnectable by a first length of elongate flexible barrier material and second and third ones of said upright posts being interconnectable by a second, separate and independent length of elongate flexible barrier material, and a dispenser device, including two parallel dispenser arms spaced a predetermined distance apart, upon which said upright posts are carried by said dispenser device, in use, and from which said upright posts are dispensed from said dispenser device, in use, in sequence, to erect a free-standing barrier; wherein said barrier posts include a pair of post arms extending from said upright posts, horizontally, away from each other, and having a length such that the bottoms of the pair of post arms slidingly engage the tops of the dispenser arms. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the last post in said plurality of posts is releasably connectible to the dispenser device by flexible barrier material. 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the posts carries one or more spring biased rotatable spools upon which flexible barrier material is wound, a free end of the barrier material being securable to a fixing. 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the fixing is provided on another post. 5. A system according to claim 3, wherein the fixing comprises a wall mounted bracket or a free-standing anchor post. 6. A system according to claim 3, wherein one or more similar spools are provided on the dispenser device, for connection of the last post in the plurality of posts to the dispenser device by flexible barrier material. 7. A system according to claim 3, wherein the barrier material is securable to the fixing by a releasable connector. 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the releasable connector includes a socket having a housing with an opening formed therein and a coupling member having a body and a flange which is fitted completely into the socket through the opening thereof, subsequent angular movement of the coupling member resulting in the coupling member occupying an orientation in which the flange cannot pass through the opening. 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the posts are of a nestable form. 10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser device is wheeled. 11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the wheels of the dispenser device are retractable. 12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the wheels can be locked against movement. 13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the or each said arm is lowerable to assist in loading the posts into or onto the dispenser device. 14. A system according to claim 1, wherein one or more display boards are provided on the dispenser device. 15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the or at least one of the display boards is electrically powered or controlled. 16. A system according to claim 15, wherein when electrically powered, the display board is powered from one of a battery, a storage device mounted upon the dispenser device, or solar powered. 17. A system according to claim 16, wherein, where battery power is used, the battery is rechargeable. 18. A system according to claim 15, wherein a conductor extends along the barrier material to allow the transmission of electrical energy and/or control signals along the barrier to the display board. 19. A portable barrier dispensing system for temporary pedestrian guidance, comprising: a. a portable dispenser including at least one horizontal dispenser arm; b. a plurality of upright, free-standing barrier posts adapted to be carried by the dispenser and to be dispensed from or collected by the dispenser, the barrier posts having at least one post arm extending from a spool, and having a length such that the bottom of the post slidably engages the top of the dispenser arm, and c. a plurality of elongate lengths of flexible barrier material, first and second barrier posts being releasably interconnectable by a first length of flexible barrier material, and second and third posts being releasably interconnectable by a second, separate, and independent length of flexible barrier material to vary the length and orientation of the barrier; and whereby, in use, the dispenser device carries the posts, dispenses said posts in sequence to erect a free-standing barrier, and allows collection of said posts, in sequence, for storage. 20. A portable, configurable retractable temporary pedestrian guidance barrier dispensing system, comprising: a. a portable dispenser including a dispenser housing with retractable wheels and a pair of parallel, spaced apart, rectilinear dispenser arms connected to the dispenser housing, the dispenser arms having a predetermined length and being oriented horizontally with respect to the floor; and b. a plurality of nestable, self standing, upright, free-standing barrier posts, adapted to be carried by the dispenser in a straight line and to be dispensed from or collected by the dispenser, via the dispenser arms, each barrier post including: i. a self standing post housing; ii. a flexible barrier webbing of a predetermined elongate length retractably connected to said post housing and having a coupling member disposed at its free end; iii. a socket for releasably connecting a coupling member; and iv. a pair of post arms for slidingly engaging the dispenser arms to move the barrier post along, onto and off of the portable dispenser; whereby first and second barrier posts are releasably interconnectable by the flexible barrier webbing of the second barrier post, and the second and a third barrier post are releasably interconnectable by the independent flexible barrier webbing of the third barrier post to vary the length and orientation of the barrier; and whereby, in use, the dispenser device carries said posts, dispenses said posts in sequence, by way of pulling forces between said posts caused by the interconnected retractable, flexible barrier webbing, of fixed predetermined length, to erect a freestanding barrier, and collects said posts in sequence for storage.