Portable home barrier

Abstract

One of the primary jobs of parents is to keep their children safe. Since most children play around their own home a portable home barrier will allow a parent to block off an area that is safe for children. The barrier is also designed to be portable and can be moved around the home to enclose a porch or deck or similar area.

Claims

1. A portable home barrier for enclosing a play area for children, comprising: a pair of stanchions, each comprising a hollow tubular canister having a retractable mesh netting panel contained therein; a plurality of netting support posts secured to the ground, the mesh netting panels being extended from the tubular canisters, secured to the netting support posts, and distal ends of the mesh netting panels being secured together to confine children within a designated enclosed area; a zipper in at least one of the mesh netting panels, the zipper allowing the netting panel to be opened to enable passage therethrough in the extended position without dismantling the barrier; a pair of canister bracket arms attached to each tubular canister, each canister bracket arm having a bracket post extending downwardly from a distal end thereof and a hole extending through the bracket post for receiving a cotter pin therethrough; a plurality of wall mounting brackets affixed to opposing interior walls of a garage, each bracket comprising a pair of angled bracket arms each having a mounting flange at a distal end thereof, and an opening extending transversely through a central portion thereof disposed between the bracket arms, each flange having a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners therethrough to affix the wall mounting brackets to the interior wads of the garage; wherein in an assembled condition of the tubular canisters with the wall mounting brackets, the bracket post of each respective canister bracket arm is inserted through and pivotably received within the opening of a respective one the wall mounting brackets, and a cotter pin is inserted through the hole of the bracket post to secure the bracket post therein; wherein when the stanchions are in use, the tubular canisters are assembled with the wall mounting brackets and the tubular canisters are pivoted about the bracket arm posts to a position outward from the interior walls such that the mesh netting panels can be extended; and wherein when the stanchions are not in use, the mesh netting panels are retracted within the tubular canisters, and the tubular canisters are pivoted about the bracket arm posts to a position adjacent the interior walls or the tubular canisters are disassembled from the wall mounting brackets.

2. A portable home barrier for enclosing a play area for children, comprising: a pair of stanchions, each comprising a hollow tubular canister having a retractable mesh netting panel contained therein; a plurality of netting support posts secured to the ground, the mesh netting panels being extended from the tubular canisters, secured to the netting support posts, and distal ends of the mesh netting panels being secured together to confine children within a designated enclosed area; a zipper in at least one of the mesh netting panels, the zipper allowing the netting panel to be opened to enable passage therethrough in the extended position without dismantling the barrier; a pair of tubular canister bracket arms attached to each tubular canister, each canister bracket arm having a longitudinally-extending hollow interior having an opening disposed at a distal end thereof and a plurality of apertures extending through sidewalls thereof for receiving a grommets therethrough; a plurality of wall mounting brackets affixed to opposing wall surfaces of a deck or porch, each bracket comprising a tubular bracket arm having a longitudinally-extending hollow interior having an opening disposed at a proximal end thereof and a plurality of apertures extending through sidewalls thereof for receiving a grommets therethrough, and a mounting flange at a distal end thereof, each flange having a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners therethrough to affix the wall mounting brackets to the wall surfaces of the deck or porch; and a plurality of male couplers, each male coupler having opposing longitudinal ends having a plurality of spring-loaded grommets disposed therein for securing the male couplers within the hollow interiors of the canister bracket arms and wall mounting brackets; wherein in an assembled condition of the tubular canisters with the wall mounting brackets, a first end of each male coupler is inserted within the opening of a respective one of the canister bracket arms, and a second end of the male coupler is inserted within the opening of a respective one of the wall mounting brackets, such that the spring-loaded grommets are received within respective apertures extending through the sidewalls of the canister bracket arms and wall mounting brackets to secure the male couplers therein; wherein when the stanchions are in use, the tubular canisters are assembled with the wall mounting brackets at a position outward from the wall surfaces such that the mesh netting panels can be extended; and wherein when the stanchions are not in use, the mesh netting panels are retracted within the tubular canisters, and the tubular canisters may be disassembled from the wall mounting brackets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device installed around the opening of a house garage.

(2) FIG. 2 is a view of the device from the inside of the garage depicting the brackets as installed in the garage.

(3) FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the ratchet bracket that will be secured to the interior of the garage and its relationship with the canister that contains the netting.

(4) FIG. 4 is an front view of a canister with the attachment points that will be used in other areas of the house.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of the wall mount.

(6) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the canister and the brackets that will be used with the alternative embodiment.

(7) FIG. 7 is a view from the interior of the garage with the device installed depicting the brackets.

(8) FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the tube with the netting depicting the bracket mounts that will be used in the interior of the home.

NUMBERING REFERENCES

(9) 5 Device 10 Panels 15 Panel with zipper 16 Zipper 17 Bracket 18 Ratchet bracket 20 Tube with netting 25 Bracket 27 Post 30 Cotter pin 35 Bracket Arm 45 Tubular Female Connector 55 Wall Mount 60 Wall Mount Connection Piece 61 Opening for grommet 65 Male Coupler 67 Spring Loaded Grommet 70 Sliding pivot bracket

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(10) This device 5 will allow parents or guardians to protect their children while at home and particularly in open spaces outside and in the immediate vicinity of the home. This device 5 will consist of a series of panels 10 that are contained in tubes 20 or canisters. The panels 10 are comprised of netting, which retract and roll up inside the tube 20. The netting is likely made from mesh material. Regardless of the choice of material, it should be able to confine children within a designated space.

(11) Although no specific type of netting is being claimed, it should be durable enough to withstand some wind, rain, or moving ball without breaking down or collapsing. Another consideration is that the netting should be relatively lightweight and the parent or guardian should be able to see through the netting material. However, it is anticipated that some or all panels may be non-transparent or see-through.

(12) One end of the tube will be connected to the interior of the wall of the garage using a bracket 17 which is designed to rotate outward in order to enable the homeowner to install the device such as depicted in FIG. 2. The bracket itself is designed to fold conveniently and use the least amount of space. When the device is not being used, the tube can be rotated inwards and stored in the garage space to minimize the space of the tube when it is not being used.

(13) A ratcheting bracket 18 may alternatively be used with this device, as shown in FIG. 7.

(14) As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panels 10 will allow a parent to enclose a predetermined area; the length of the netting can be adjusted to different lengths so that the parent can adjust the length of the space to be enclosed. Two separate tubes with netting that will connect together at the end of the respective sections of the netter will be used to create the enclosed area such as shown in FIG. 2. Posts to secure the panel will also be provided to secure one end of the netting into the ground at a predetermined location. The panels 10 can be secured with a hook and loop assembly, snaps, or straps. Other items may additionally or alternatively be utilized to securely attach the panels to the posts.

(15) As depicted in FIG. 1 there are two side panels 10 and a front panel 15. The front panel 15 will also contain a zipper 16 which will allow the front panel to be opened without dismantling the entire structure. This may become necessary in the event somebody needs to take a piece of equipment out of the garage or put in a piece of equipment into the garage.

(16) One of the brackets that will be used in the garage is depicted in FIG. 3. The sides of the bracket 25 will be secured to the garage walls and a bracket arm 35 will secure the tube with the netting to the bracket 25 by inserting the post 27 through the opening of the bracket 25. A cotter pin 30 and a post 27 which is on the bracket arm will insure that the bracket in place during normal use. Although a cotter pin 30 is discussed there may be other means to insure that the bracket remains attached to the tubing with the netting.

(17) The tube with the netting is designed to be portable and can be placed in other areas such as decks or porches using a wall mount 55, which is flanged with apertures to secure the wall mount 55. A tubular female connector 45 on the tube 20 will connect the tube with the wall mount 55 using a male coupler 65 such as depicted in FIG. 4. The male coupler 65 is equipped with a plurality of spring loaded grommets 67 that will secure the male coupler by inserting the grommet into the opening 61 for that purpose. The wall mounts 55 are designed to be permanently attached to the wall surface such as on a back porch or a deck.

(18) It is likely that the male coupler 65 will use a spring loaded push pin so that the tube with the netting can be moved easily from location to location.

(19) In this way, the parent or guardian can move the device from the garage and place it on another area of the house such as a deck, back porch or similar area. Once the tube has been installed on the back porch the parent or guardian simply pulls the netting from the tube to arrange the space desired.

(20) While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.