Retractable barrier assembly

Abstract

A non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly for selective placement by a user on a walking surface. The assembly includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and having an elongate opening. A base independently supports and disposes the housing in an upright position substantially normal to the walking surface during use. A rotatable rod is disposed within the housing and coupled to a trailing edge of a flexible screen. The flexible screen may be coupled to an external attachment point upon extension of the screen through the elongate opening and decoupled upon retraction. A spring is coupled to the rotatable rod to exert a force in a direction opposite a direction of extension of the flexible screen. The flexible screen of an adjacent assembly may be coupled to the assembly to form a screen system.

Claims

1. A non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly for selective placement by a user on a walking surface, comprising: a base member; a housing having a first end, a second opposing end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and having an elongate opening; a base coupler affixed to the base member and the housing, whereby the housing is independently supported and disposed in an upright position substantially normal to the walking surface during use; a rotatable rod disposed within the housing; a flexible screen having a trailing edge coupled to the rotatable rod, a leading edge, and a top edge extending between the trailing edge and the leading edge; an edge coupler attached to the leading edge to couple the leading edge to an external attachment point upon extension of the screen through the elongate opening and decouple the leading edge from the external attachment point upon retraction; and a spring coupled to the rotatable rod to exert a force in a direction opposite a direction of extension of the flexible screen.

2. The non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly of claim 1, further comprising a receiving member for receiving and coupling the assembly to a leading edge of a flexible screen of an adjacent non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly.

3. A screen system for selective placement by a user on a walking surface, comprising: a plurality of non-anchored, self-supporting screen assemblies, each assembly comprising a base member; a housing having a first end, a second opposing end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and having an elongate opening; a base coupler affixed to the base member and the housing, whereby the housing is independently supported and disposed in an upright position substantially normal to the walking surface during use; a rotatable rod disposed within the housing; a flexible screen having a trailing edge coupled to the rotatable rod, a leading edge, and a top edge extending between the trailing edge and the leading edge; a receiving member; an edge coupler attached to the leading edge to couple the flexible screen leading edge to the receiving member of an adjacent non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly when the flexible screen leading edge is extended through the elongate opening and decouple the leading edge from the receiving member of the adjacent non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly when the flexible screen is retracted; and a spring coupled to the rotatable rod to exert a force in a direction opposite a direction the flexible screen is extended through the elongate opening of the sidewall.

4. A non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly for selective placement by a user on a walking surface, comprising: a housing having a first end, a second opposing end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and having an elongate opening; a base member supporting and disposing the housing in an upright position substantially normal to the walking surface during use; a rotatable rod disposed within the housing; a flexible screen having a trailing edge coupled to the rotatable rod, a leading edge, and a top edge extending between the trailing edge and the leading edge; an edge coupler attached to the leading edge to couple the leading edge to an external attachment point upon extension of the screen through the elongate opening and decouple the leading edge from the external attachment point upon retraction; and a spring coupled to the rotatable rod to exert a force in a direction opposite a direction of extension of the flexible screen.

5. The non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly of claim 4, further comprising a receiving member for receiving and coupling the assembly to a flexible screen of an adjacent non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly.

6. A screen system for selective placement by a user on a walking surface, comprising: a plurality of non-anchored, self-supporting screen assemblies, each assembly comprising: a housing having a first end, a second opposing end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and having an elongate opening; a base member supporting and disposing the housing in an upright position substantially normal to the walking surface during use; a rotatable rod disposed within the housing; a flexible screen having a trailing edge coupled to the rotatable rod, a leading edge, and a top edge extending between the trailing edge and the leading edge; a spring coupled to the rotatable rod to exert a force in a direction opposite a direction the flexible screen is extended through the elongate opening of the sidewall; and a receiving member to receive and couple to the flexible screen of an adjacent non-anchored, self-supporting screen assembly when the flexible screen of the adjacent screen assembly is extended and decouple therefrom when the flexible screen of the adjacent screen assembly is retracted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a prior art cap and tape style retractable partition shown partially extended to be affixable to a secondary such partition;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of the prior art cap and tape style retractable partition of FIG. 1 shown with its tape member threaded through a supplemental signage member to retain and display the same;

(3) FIG. 3A is a perspective diagram of the improved retractable gate assembly of the present invention for guiding and routing persons along designated pathways defined by interconnecting the retractable gate assembly with one or more additional such assemblies, and inhibiting ingress to and egress from such pathways, shown with its retractable screen partially extended for connection to an additional such assembly;

(4) FIG. 3B is a perspective diagram of the improved retractable gate assembly of the present invention for guiding and routing persons along designated pathways defined by interconnecting the retractable gate assembly with one or more additional such assemblies, and inhibiting undesired or unauthorized ingress to and egress from such pathways, shown with the respective retractable screens fully extended;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram of the improved retractable gate assembly of the present invention for guiding and routing persons along designated pathways defined by interconnecting the retractable gate assembly with one or more additional such assemblies, and inhibiting ingress to and egress from such pathways, shown with its retractable screen full extended and connected to an additional such assembly;

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective diagram of exemplary components of a preferred, but not required, embodiment of the retractable barrier assembly of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6A is a perspective diagram of a first preferred, but not required embodiment, for removably affixing the housing of the retractable barrier assembly of the present invention to a suitable retaining member shown as a substantially upright socket integrally formed with a weighted base;

(8) FIG. 6B is a perspective diagram of a second preferred, but not required embodiment, for removably affixing the housing of the retractable barrier system of the present invention to a suitable retaining member shown as a substantially upright socket removably affixable to a weighted base;

(9) FIG. 6C is a perspective diagram of a third preferred, but not required embodiment, for removably affixing the housing of the retractable barrier system of the present invention to a suitable retaining member shown as an angle bracket removable affixable to the housing and a weighted base;

(10) FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of the improved retractable gate assembly of the present invention for guiding and routing persons along designated pathways defined by interconnecting the retractable gate assembly with one or more additional such assemblies, and inhibiting ingress to and egress from such pathways, shown with its retractable screen partially extended for connection to an additional such assembly, and further illustrating one preferred, but not required connection assembly;

(11) FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram of the improved retractable gate assembly of the present invention for guiding and routing persons along designated pathways defined by interconnecting the retractable gate assembly with one or more additional such assemblies, and inhibiting ingress to and egress from such pathways, shown with its retractable screen fully extended and connected to an additional such assembly, and further illustrating one preferred, but not required connection assembly;

(12) FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the detail of FIG. 7; and

(13) FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the detail of FIG. 8.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(14) With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is provided a perspective diagram of a plurality of prior art interconnectable cap and tape style retractable partitions designated generally by reference numerals 10 and 12, respectively. Partitions 10 and 12 each include respective top caps 14 and 16 affixed or affixable to corresponding upright stanchions 18 and 20, which stanchions are further affixed to corresponding retaining members, in each case shown as weighted bases 22 and 24, respectively. Top cap 14 and 16 each include or incorporate a corresponding retractable tape member that may be removably affixed to a corresponding secondary prior art cap and tape style retractable partition. In FIG. 1, the retractable tape of partition 10 is designated generally by reference numeral 26 and is shown partially extended for connection to secondary retractable partition 12, and more particularly to top cap 16 of secondary retractable partition 12. As those skilled in the art will recognize, prior art retractable partitions of the type shown in FIG. 1, are typically used principally for crowd control, namely for guiding and routing persons along designated pathways defined by the interconnected partitions, and more particularly pathways defined by the corresponding extended tape members 26, but without substantially inhibiting ingress to or egress from such pathways as persons may readily climb over or duck under the extensible tapes 26. As referenced above, the retractable element of the prior art partitions, here tape 26, is also of insufficient width to permit any substantial or readily noticeable pre-printed signage thereon including advertising or private or public messages. To accommodate such advertising and messaging in prior art retractable barrier assemblies of the type described above, users have heretofore typically utilized supplemental signage members that may be independently affixed to or retained by the retractable tapes. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, an advertising sheet 28 (shown with signage P) may be conventionally secured to and retained by tape 26 by threading tape 26 through a suitable receiving sleeve 30 or like component of sheet 28.

(15) Turning now to FIGS. 3-10, there will be shown and described the improved retractable barrier assembly 32 of the present invention. Assembly 32 comprises a housing 34 having a bottom end 36 affixable, and preferably, but not necessarily removably affixable, to a retaining member such as, but not limited to, a weighted base member 38, and a top opposing end 40 defining a substantially upright primary stanchion 42 there between. In keeping with the invention, assembly 32 is intended to be interconnected with one or more additional retractable barrier assemblies 44, and more particularly, to be interconnected to substantially corresponding upright secondary stanchions 46 defined by opposing ends 48 and 50 of the housings 52 thereof to define corresponding pathways 53 there between for controlling traffic by guiding and routing traffic therethrough. In further keeping with the invention, the disclosed and claimed retractable barrier assemblies herein function to inhibit ingress to and egress from such defined pathways.

(16) As further shown in FIGS. 3-10, housing 34 includes at least a rotatable elongate mounting rod 54 that may be directly or indirectly affixed to a trailing edge 56 of a flexible gate or screen 58. Mounting rod 54 may comprise any suitable material including, but not limited to, extruded aluminum. The referenced trailing edge 56 of flexible screen 58 may be affixed to mounting rod 54 in any suitable manner. In the preferred but not required embodiment shown, mounting rod 54 is provided with an elongate annular notch 60 that spans a sufficient vertical length of mounting rod 54 such that a concave portion 62 thereof may receive an optional mounting tube 64 affixed to the trailing edge 56 of flexible screen 58. Mounting tube 64 similarly spans a sufficient vertical length of flexible screen 58 and may be affixed thereto by any suitable means including adhesive. As shown, mounting tube 64 may be inserted into the concave notch portion 62 of mounting rod 54 to secure flexible screen 58 to mounting rod 54. Screen 58 may thereafter be wound about mounting rod 54 as will be discussed in further detail below. Again, mounting tube 64 may comprise any suitable material and may be affixed to the trailing edge 56 of flexible screen 58 in any suitable manner including, but not limited to, mechanical attachment, adhesive, or melting/fusing the components together. In the latter case, mounting tube 64 may be comprised of plastic or other material capable of being adhered to flexible screen 58 by applying heat and/or pressure, or the like.

(17) Flexible screen 58 may similarly comprise or include any suitable material or fiber including cloth, canvas, plastic, wire, paper, netting, and the like, or any combination thereof that may be readily and easily retracted about mounting rod 54 when the flexible screen 58 is disengaged, and extended therefrom when the screen 58 is intended to be engaged as necessary to span or define an entryway, queue, or other designated private or public area whether indoors or outdoors, including as referenced above, to be interconnected to a secondary retractable barrier assembly to define a pathway 53 there between. Flexible screen 58, by nature of its unitary, flexible, and retractable design and size, is also amenable to having pre-printed wording or signage placed thereon including of any suitable nature and provided for display at a plurality of extension or recoil positions depending on the placement distance from a secondary retractable assembly or other retention member. For example, such wording or signage may be placed at or near a leading edge 66 of flexible screen 58 for intended display when screen 58 is partially extended, at or near trailing end 56 for intended display when screen 58 is fully extended, or anywhere there between, depending on the positioning of the corresponding assemblies. Such wording or signage may also be printed on opposing sides of the screen 58 and positioned thereon at any suitable location to prevent ink seepage or message interference, depending on the translucency and type of barrier material being used.

(18) Referring more specifically to FIGS. 7-10, in this exemplary application, flexible screen 58 is further provided with an attachment mechanism 68 operative to couple a leading edge 66 thereof to a secondary retractable barrier assembly 44, and more particularly to a secondary stanchion 46. Attachment mechanism 68 may comprise one or more removably inter-lockable bracket members 70 and 72, respectively, that may be affixed at top and/or bottom ends 74 and 76 of the leading edge 66 of screen 58 for receipt by bracket members 73 and 75 placed at corresponding top and bottom ends 50 and 48 of housing 52 of secondary retractable barrier assembly 44, or any other suitable positions there between. For example, bracket 70 may be affixed near the center or midpoint between the respective top and bottom ends 74 and 76 of leading edge 66 of screen 58 (and correspondingly bracket 72 may be affixed near the center or midpoint between the respective top and bottom ends 48 and 50 of housing 52 of secondary retractable barrier assembly 44) to provide quicker and easier connection and disconnection by a user. As shown, brackets 70 may also be affixed to an attachment rod or pull member 78. Pull member 78 may further be affixed to leading edge 66 of flexible screen 58 by any suitable means, including adhesive. It is understood, however, that pull member 78 is provided in a preferred embodiment only and may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention herein described.

(19) A winding mechanism such as a conventional spring or, more preferably, but not necessarily, a torsion spring 80, is further provided as shown in FIG. 5. As those skilled in the art will recognize, torsion springs are typically helical springs that function to exert a torque or rotary force. When twisted, a torsion spring thus exerts a force, actually torque, in the opposite direction that is proportional to the amount (angle) it is twisted. Characteristically, the respective ends of a torsion spring are attached to other components, and when those components rotate around the center of the spring, the spring exerts a counter-force in attempt to push the components back to their original position. While the name implies otherwise, so-called torsion springs are actually subjected to bending stress rather than torsional stress. In operation, such springs function to store and subsequently release substantial angular energy (mechanical energy) or statically hold a mechanism in place by deflecting the legs about a body centerline axis.

(20) In the exemplary embodiment shown, torsion spring 80 is coupled at a top end thereof to a shaft 82 and more particularly to a shaft slot. It is understood, however, that torsion spring 80 may of course be affixed and secured at its top end to shaft 82 by any suitable means including, but not limited to, the above-described shaft slot. Torsion spring 80 is further affixed at a bottom end 84 thereof to a bottom key or winding key 86. In keeping with the invention and the preferred embodiment shown and described, bottom key 86 freely rotates about a center axis of shaft 82 and functions to wind or pre-load torque onto torsion spring 80 prior to insertion into mounting rod 54 (and wound barrier screen 58) as will be described in further detail below. There is also provided a top key 88 positioned at and affixed to the top end of shaft 82. Like bottom key 86, top key 88 freely rotates about shaft 82, and more particularly, about the top end of shaft 82. Top key 88 is secured from removal from shaft 82 by a roll pin or other suitable retention member received within corresponding apertures of shaft 82 and top key 88. Again, it is understood that any suitable means may be used to secure top key 88 from removal. Notably, top key 88 is not affixed to torsion spring 80. Rather, top key 88 includes an annular notch that functions to guide the assembly (torsion spring 80 and shaft 82) into mounting rod 54. More specifically, a concave portion of a top key annular notch is received by a convex portion of a corresponding mounting rod annular notch, as will be described in further detail below.

(21) Still referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary, but not required, embodiment shown and described includes top and bottom caps 90 and 92, respectively, removably affixable to housing 34. Again, the foregoing may comprise any suitable material including plastic, molded unitary aluminum, cast aluminum, extruded aluminum, and the like. In the preferred embodiment shown, top and bottom caps 90 and 92, also called top and bottom base caps, preferably, but not necessarily comprise cast aluminum, and housing 34 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises extruded aluminum. Bottom base cap 92 is affixed to shaft 82 in any suitable manner, including, for example by receiving shaft 82 within a receiving notch, aperture, or extension portion affixed to or molded within bottom cap 92 and securing the same with a roll pin or other suitable retention member so that shaft 82 is secured and oriented so it can't move. Once secured, bottom base cap 92 will rotate with shaft 82. Accordingly, once torsion spring 80 (affixed to shaft 82) is preloaded with torque to store mechanical energy, bottom cap 92 must be secured in place to prevent release of such energy. Housing 34 further defines an internal cavity and includes an elongate vertically disposed opening 94 or slot for receiving and extending barrier screen 58 through the housing 34 once assembled. As illustrated, in this preferred embodiment housing 34 is substantially rounded extending contiguously about a radius of three hundred and sixty degrees. It is understood, however, that any suitable shape, configuration, and/or orientation, including one or more additional sidewalls of varying shape, may be utilized without departing from the spirit, scope, and functionality of the disclosed invention.

(22) As discussed in substantial more detail in co-pending patent application Serial Nos. 15/083,757, 15/201,665, and 15/380,332 filed Mar. 29, 2016, Jul. 5, 2016, and Dec. 15, 2016, respectively, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, the steps for preloading spring 80 with suitable torque are described. Accordingly, spring tension is first applied by rotating or winding base key (winding key) 86. While holding base cap 92 securely in place (as it is affixed to shaft 82), the entire assembly is inserted into mounting rod 54 using top key 88 and more particularly a top key notch as a guide for receipt by a corresponding annular notch and more particularly a convex portion thereof. Winding key 86 is thereafter secured in place similarly by mating adjacent ridges 96 with the same convex portion of the annular notch. Thereafter, bottom cap 92 is secured to bottom end 36 of housing 34 using any suitable fastener or fasteners such as screws 102 or the like. Top cap 90 is similarly secured to top end 40 of housing 34 in like manner. Top cap 90 includes a guide similarly having an annular notch. The guide functions to freely rotate within top cap 90. Specifically, the annular notch receives and mates with a corresponding mounting rod notch and more specifically a convex portion thereof. Accordingly, mounting rod 54 may freely rotate within housing 34 about top and bottom caps 90 and 92, respectively. More specifically, top end of mounting rod 54 rotates about a guide and bottom end 84 of mounting rod 54 rotates about bottom key 86 with preloaded torque applied thereto.

(23) Still referring to FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, bottom winding key 86 may further include a guide member 100 comprising a separate component that may be coupled by any suitable means to a bottom surface of bottom winding key 86 or a top surface or lip of bottom winding key 86. In the latter case, guide member 100 may include one or more apertures or cut out portions as necessary to slide or otherwise fit over shaft 82 and torsion spring 80. Alternatively, guide member 100 may be integrally formed with bottom winding key 86 as shown in FIG. 5. Guide member 100 may comprise any suitable and preferably substantially rigid material including, but not limited to plastic, and is preferably, but not necessarily disk-shaped. It is understood, however, that any suitable size or shape may be utilized provided the objectives below are achieved. Guide member 100 may also be affixed to bottom key 86 in any suitable manner including, but not limited to, adhesive, screws or bolts, or other fastener or fastening means, or may be integrally molded therewith. In keeping with the invention, guide member 100 includes a surface portion having a sufficient diameter and oriented substantially perpendicular or normal to the flexible screen 58 to guide and promote substantially smooth extension and retraction of the screen 58 (i.e. inhibit binding or bunching up) thus permitting the use of flexible screens comprising a greater array of materials and textures including those having a more tacky or rubbery composition, texture or feel. Again, substantial additional detail illustrating the foregoing is provided in co-pending patent application Ser. Nos. 15/083,757, 15/201,665, and 15/380,322 filed Mar. 29, 2016, Jul. 5, 2016, and Dec. 15, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(24) In further preferred, but not required embodiment, flexible screen 58 may be cut tapered in height from the leading edge 66 to the trailing edge 56 thereof, so as to further assist in promoting the smooth retraction and extension of flexible screen 58. In such case, leading edge 66 may have a height that is greater than the height of the trailing edge 38 with the above-referenced tapering there between preferably, but not necessarily, in equal amounts at both the top and bottom portions of the trailing edge 56. The specific tapering, amount, and location thereof will depend in large part on the relative heights of the respective leading and trailing edges, the length or span of the flexible screen 58, the selected screen material, materials or composite construction, the corresponding modulus of elasticity of the foregoing, the resulting flexibility or pliability thereof, as well as the specific application. By way of example, but not limitation, leading edge 66 may have an exemplary height of 40 inches, the flexible screen may have a length or span of 6 feet, and the trailing edge 56 may be tapered equally a half inch at both the top and bottom portions thereof defining a trailing edge height of 39 inches. Of course, greater or less tapering as well as different tapering locations (including at the leading edge 66, the trailing edge 56, or both edges) and patterns may be employed to achieve different results and will provide different corresponding appearances of the flexible screen 58 upon being installed and extended. The above referenced tapering amounts and location are provided as exemplary of a preferred embodiment only wherein minimal tapering has been provided to achieve the objective of inhibiting binding or bunching up of the gate upon retraction and/or extension without substantially altering the appearance of the flexible screen 58 once extended (i.e. to appear upon casual inspection to have a uniform or near uniform height across the length or span of screen 58 once extended). Different tapering amounts and locations are thus anticipated depending on the application and desired performance (required flexibility or alternatively the lack of rigidity) and appearance of screen 58.

(25) As those skilled in the art will recognize, and as referenced above, the rigidity of the material of screen 58 may more properly be referred to as its elastic modulus also known as its modulus of elasticity. Practically speaking, elastic modulus is not the same as stiffness. Elastic modulus is a property of the constituent material; stiffness is a property of a structure. Accordingly, modulus of elasticity is an intrinsic property of the material, whereas stiffness is an extrinsic property of a body dependent on the material and the shape of the boundary conditions. Modulus of elasticity is thus a prime property to be considered when selecting the above referenced screen material to achieve the desired stiffness of the resulting screen. In short, the modulus of elasticity must be sufficiently low to provide the required flexibility yet sufficiently high to inhibit or obviate undesirable binding or bunching up of the screen that might otherwise result particularly during retraction. More specifically, and in keeping with the invention herein, the modulus of elasticity of the screen material or materials must be sufficiently high such that the screen has sufficient stiffness to inhibit sagging or bowing of the same upon extension thus promoting the smooth retraction thereof by conversely obviating potential binding or bunching up of the screen which might otherwise result during retraction.

(26) In further keeping with the invention, a variety of spacers may also be provided to reduce friction between guide member 100 and bottom cap 92. More specifically, such spacers may be provided to reduce friction between a bottom surface of guide member 100 and top surface of bottom cap 90. The use, design and placement of such spacers is again discussed in substantial more detail co-pending patent application Ser. Nos. 15/083,757, 15/201,665, and 15/380,322 filed Mar. 29, 2016, Jul. 5, 2016, and Dec. 15, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, a variety of spacers may be provided to reduce or eliminate such friction. Such spacers may comprise an additional disk having any suitable composition, rigidity, orientation, and dimension and may also comprise one or more raised portions such as buttons, nubs, ridges, or the like, coupled to or formed integral with either or both of the relative contacting surfaces.

(27) In yet a further preferred embodiment provided to achieve the desired performance above, one or more support members may also be coupled to screen 58 at suitable locations to enhance the stiffness/rigidity of the screen 58, particularly, but not necessarily, limited to the vertical direction, beyond that of the elastic modulus of the selected screen material. By way of example, but not limitation, one or more flexible battens or the like comprising fiberglass, plastic, rubber, wire, or any suitable material or composition, including any combination of the foregoing, may be coupled to screen 58, again preferably, but not necessarily in the vertical direction, including for example, but not limitation, by insertion into one or more predefined receiving receptacles such as batten pockets commonly used in sails. The foregoing battens may be coupled or placed at any suitable location and orientation including along any portion or the entire span of the top and/or bottom edges and/or the leading or trailing edges of screen 58 or anywhere there between, including extending inward at any angle from any such edge.

(28) As shown and described above, housing 34 of the retractable barrier assembly 32 of the present invention may be removably affixable to a retaining member including a base 38, in any variety of suitable ways. In one preferred, but not required embodiment, bottom cap 92 of housing 34 may secured directly to base 38 by one or more annular spaced fasteners such as bolts or screws. Alternatively, a bolt 103 may be provided to be received within a threaded channel of bottom cap 92. In an alternative preferred, but not required, embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, an upright socket 104 is integrally molded with retaining member (weighted base) 38 for receiving and securing housing 34 with corresponding fasteners such as set screws 106. In yet a further preferred, but not required embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, upright socket 104 is removably affixable to retaining member 38 and is similarly designed to receive and secure housing 34 with corresponding fasteners such as set screws 106. Yet a further preferred, but not required embodiment shown in FIG. 6C illustrates an angle bracket 108 having a first arm 110 removably affixable to the base 38, and a second arm 112 extending from and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first arm 110 that is removably affixable to the housing 34, in each case by suitable fastening means such as set screws, bolts, interlocking members, or the like.

(29) While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made, and equivalent structures, features, and functions may be provided, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.