Retractable barriers are available in a number of forms, and typically comprise a rotatable spool upon which a length of a flexible barrier material, for example in the form of webbing, is wound. A spring arrangement is usually provided to urge the spool to rotate in a direction to take up any slack in the barrier material. In use, the spool is fixed in a desired position and, when the barrier is to be erected, the free end of the barrier material is pulled to unwind barrier material from the spool, the free end of the barrier material being secured in a suitable position by using a suitable fastening device. As the material is drawn from the spool, the spool is rotated against the spring biasing thereof. When the barrier is no longer required, the barrier material is released by releasing the fastening device. The spring biasing of the spool causes the spool to rotate, the barrier material being wound onto the spool. In some applications the spool is located within a housing which is permanently secured to, for example, a wall, a piece of furniture or a permanent or semi- permanent structure. It is also common to mount such spools upon moveable posts to allow the erection of temporary barriers in any location including outdoors.

Barriers of this type are used in a range of applications, including queue or flow management in shops, airports, conference centres or arenas, and the like. Where there is a change in the flow of people through an area, there may be a requirement to alter the layout of the barriers used in queue or flow management. If the layout is to be changed rapidly in response to a change in queue or flow patterns, then it is desirable to use a barrier system capable of being reconfigured quickly. It is an object of the invention to provide a system capable of use in such circumstances or for short term intermittent use.

According to the present invention there is provided a retractable barrier system comprising 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. One of the posts is preferably connected to the dispenser device by flexible barrier material.

Each post conveniently carries one or more spring biased rotatable spools upon which flexible barrier material can be wound, a free end of the barrier material being securable to an adjacent post or securable to, for example, a wall mounted bracket or a free-standing anchor post by a suitable connector. One or more similar spools may be provided on the dispenser unit.

The connector is preferably of releasable form and may include a socket having an opening formed therein and a coupling member which can be fitted completely into the socket through the opening thereof, subsequent angular

movement of the coupling member resulting the coupling member occupying an orientation in which it cannot pass through the opening.

The posts are preferably designed to be of a nestable form, thereby increasing the number of posts which can be carried in a compact fashion by the dispenser device.

The dispenser device may be wheeled, and may be arranged to permit retraction of the wheels or to allow the wheels to be locked against movement.

The dispenser device preferably includes a post support arrangement for carrying the posts. The post support arrangement may include arms which can, in one embodiment, be lowered to assist in loading the posts into or onto the dispenser device.

One or more display boards may be provided on the dispenser device.

The or at least one of the display boards may be electrically powered or controlled. When electrically powered, the display board may be powered from a battery or storage device mounted upon the dispenser device, or may be solar powered. Where battery power is used, the battery may be rechargeable using, for example, a plug or socket which can be connected to a wall mounted socket or plug, or using solar energy. In an alternative arrangement, a conductor may extend along the barrier material to allow the transmission of electrical energy and/or control signals along the barrier to the display board.

The invention further relates to a flexible barrier material incorporating an electrical conductor, and to a connector comprising a housing having an

opening therein and a coupling device which, in one orientation, can pass completely through the opening into the housing, subsequent angular displacement of the coupling device preventing passage of the coupling device through the opening.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a retractable barrier system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in a stowed condition; Figure 2 illustrates the system of Figure 1 in an extended condition ; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating dispensing of the barrier system; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating retraction of the barrier system; Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a post; Figure 6 is an enlarged view illustrating part of the post of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling member ; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a housing ; Figure 9 is a plan view of the coupling member; Figures 10 and 11 illustrate two alternative designs of post; Figures 12 to 14 are side, front and plan views, respectively, of a further post design; and

Figures 15 to 17 are side, front and plan views, respectively of a post of an alternative barrier system.

Referring to the drawings, a retractable barrier system is shown which comprises a dispenser device 10 upon which, in the stowed condition shown in Figure 1, is a plurality of posts 12. Each post 12 takes the form of sheet material, for example a sheet of steel, which has been folded to form two walls 14 of a generally pyramidal body. The lower edges of the walls 14 are turned inwardly as shown in Figure 6 to form a channel 16 in which a ballast material 18 is provided. A rubber or rubber-like strip 20 is provided along the lower edges of the walls 14 and beneath the channel 16 to resist sliding movement of the post 12, in use, and also to minimise the risk of damage to a floor surface upon which the system is used.

At the apex of each post 12 is provided a generally cylindrical housing 22 containing a spring biased spool arrangement of any suitable form, a length of flexible barrier material in the form of webbing 24 being secured to the rotatable spool located within the housing 22.

The housing 22 of each post 12 is provided with a pair of laterally extending arms 26.

The free end of the webbing 24 associated with each post carries a coupling member 28 of the type shown in Figures 7 and 9. As illustrated, the coupling member 28 includes a central body part 30 having a slot 32 provided therein through which the free end of the webbing extends, the webbing conveniently being folded and sewn to prevent removal of the coupling

member 28 from the webbing. From the sides of the central part 30 extend a pair of flanges 34, the central parts of which are provided with rounded pips 36.

Each post 12 has mounted thereon a socket 38 of form shown in Figure 8. The socket 38 comprises a housing 40 having an opening 42 formed therein. The opening 42 is of dimensions tailored to the dimensions of the coupling member 28 so as to allow the coupling member 28 to be passed completely through the opening 42 by inserting the coupling member 28 sideways or side edge first into the opening 42. Once located completely within the housing 40, the rotation of the coupling member 28 through approximately 90° moves the coupling member 28 into an orientation in which it cannot pass through the opening 42 and so is secured within the housing 40 of the socket 38. To function in this manner, the dimension 44 shown in Figure 9 should be slightly smaller than the width 46 of the opening 42, and the dimension 48 shown in Figure 9 should be greater than the width 46 of the opening 42.

It will be appreciated that the connector arrangement shown in Figures 7 to 9 is releasable, but unintentional release of the connector arrangement is very unlikely to occur.

As shown in Figure 1, when stowed, the posts are arranged with the coupling member of each post connected to the socket of an adjacent post.

The dispenser device 10 comprises a housing 50 carried by retractable wheels 52 to allow the housing to be moved reasonably easily. The housing

50 is provided with a pair of arms 54 which extend parallel to one another.

The arms 54 are adapted to cooperate with the arms 26 associated with each post 12 such that the posts 12 are carried by the dispenser device 10.

The dispenser device is provided with a housing 56 containing a spool of design similar to the spools associated with the posts, the webbing of the spool associated with the dispenser device having, at its free end, a coupling device of the type described hereinbefore which is received within the socket of one of the posts.

The lower edge of the dispenser device may be provided with a rubber or rubber-like material strip similar to that provided on the posts.

The system shown in Figure 1 is intended for use in conjunction with a wall mounted socket 58 of form similar to that described hereinbefore. As shown, the coupling member 28 associated with one of the posts is received by the wall mounted socket 58.

When the barrier system of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 is to be erected, the dispenser device is moved away from the wall. As the dispenser device is moved, the webbing 24 associated with an end one 12a of the posts 12 is pulled from the spool until the webbing is fully unwound from the spool. Continued movement of the dispenser device will cause the end post 12a to be pulled from the dispenser device 10, and in webbing 24 being unwound from the spool of the next post 12b. Again, once the webbing 24 is fully unwound the post 12b will be pulled from the dispenser device 10.

Movement continues until either the barrier is fully extended (as shown in

Figure 2) or until the barrier has reached the desired length. Once either of these conditions has been reach, the wheels 52 of the dispenser device 10 are retracted, braked or locked to resist movement thereof.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the coupling members 28 are provided with pips 36. The provision of the pips 36 allows a degree of articulation between each coupling member 28 and the associated socket 38, thereby accommodating slight undulations and/or slopes in the surface upon which the system is to be used. This may be particularly advantageous where the system is used outside.

To return the system to its stowed condition the wheels 52 of the dispenser device are extended and the dispenser device moved back towards its starting position. The initial movement results in webbing being taken up onto the associated spool, such movement continuing until the arms 54 of the dispenser device 10 engage the arms 26 of one of the posts. Once such a position has been reached, continued movement of the dispenser device causes the post to tilt, as shown in Figure 4. The tilting movement results in the arms 26 lifting or rising slightly, due to the location of the housing 22 forward of the rear tips of the side walls 14, the lifting movement being sufficient to allow the arms 26 to ride onto the arms 54 to allow the post to be carried by the dispenser device 10. Movement of the dispenser device continues until all of the posts have been collected and returned to their stowed configuration shown in Figure 1.

Although the illustrated arrangement includes a pair of arms 26 associated with each post, it may be possible to provide more arms 26, or only a single arm 26.

As shown in Figure 4, the dispenser device 10 conveniently carries one or more display boards 60. Although the display boards may be arranged simply to support printed or hand written signage, they could take the form of electrically powered displays powered from, for example, batteries carried by the dispenser device 10. The batteries may be rechargeable, and the dispenser device may include a plug or socket to allow the batteries to be recharged automatically when the dispenser device is in a stowed condition.

Alternatively, the display boards may be solar powered. Another alternative is for the display boards to be powered and/or controlled using one or more electrical conductors associated with and extending along the webbing 24.

For example, a conductor may be secured to or woven into the webbing.

Although the arrangement described hereinbefore makes use of a single wall mounted socket to which the webbing of one of the posts was already secured, systems are envisaged in which a number of sockets, for example wall mounted sockets, are provided at appropriate locations. When the barrier is required, the dispenser unit is moved to the desired location, the coupling member associated with the end one of the posts is secured to the chosen socket and the dispenser unit is then moved to erect the barrier as described hereinbefore. It is also envisaged that the system may be used in conjunction with a socket mounted upon a free standing anchor post which could also be

carried by the dispenser device so that, when the barrier is to be erected, the dispenser device is positioned at one end of the desired barrier location, the anchor post is removed from the dispenser device and appropriately positioned, and the dispenser device is moved away to erect the barrier.

It will be appreciated that the design of post described hereinbefore is advantageous in that the posts are of a nestable design, part of each post being receivable within an empty space formed in an adjacent post. Such a design allows an increased number of posts to be carried by the dispenser device. It will be appreciated that the invention may be used with other post designs, and in particular other nestable post designs, for example of the type shown in Figures 10 and 11. These designs include a V-shaped base 64 from which an angled post member 66 extends, the upright carrying the spool housing. In the design of Figure 10 the post member 66 extends from the apex of the base 64, the Figure 11 arrangement having the post member 66 extending from one of the free ends of the base 64.

Figures 12,13 and 14 illustrate a further alternative post design. This design includes a generally V-shaped base 68. A pair of side members 70 a secured close to the ends of the base 68, and a front support member 72 is connected to the base 68 at the apex of the V-shape. The side members 70 and front support member 72 together serve to support a housing 74 containing the spool, etc and to which arms or other components to allow dispensing/collection of the posts can be mounted. Conveniently, the base 68 and members 70,72 are of weighted tubular or bar form. Arrows 76 illustrate

some directions in which webbing may be retracted from or connected to the post. It will be appreciated, however, that the arrows 76 are merely examples of suitable directions. As with the other post designs described hereinbefore, the arrangement of Figures 12,13 and 14 is designed to allow the posts to nest together.

Although the arrangements described hereinbefore make use of a single spool on each post, more spools could be provided on one or more of the posts. Figures 15 to 17 illustrate an alternative post design in which each post is provided with a pair of housings 22 containing spools, one spool housing being located close to the top of each post and the other spool housing being located at approximately half the height of the post. The webbing associated with both of the housings 22 is connected or connectable, in use, to an adjacent one of the posts. The post comprises a generally inverted U-shaped base 78 from the front of which an inverted U-shaped, angled upright 80 extends. A pair of side member 82 serve to support the upright 80. Cross members 84 interconnect the limbs of the upright 80 and carry the housings 22.

A number of modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, in one envisaged arrangement, the housing 22 is of a shape other than generally cylindrical as mentioned hereinbefore. Further, the arms 54 of the dispenser arrangement may be adapted to permit a degree of lifting and lowering thereof to assist in the collection of the posts. In such an arrangement, the dispenser device is moved

to a position adjacent a post to be collected, the arms 54 are lowered to a height slightly lower than the arms 26 of the post, and the dispenser device is moved to a position in which the arms 54 thereof are positioned below the arms 26. The arms 54 can then be raised to lift the post 12 from the ground and allow continued movement of the dispenser device to collect other posts.

A further alternative is to replace the arms 26 with an alternative support means to allow the posts 12 to be carried by the dispenser device 10.

One possible technique may be to provide each post 12 with an opening or openings into or through which the arms 54 may extend when the post 12 is carried by the dispenser device 10. The opening (s) may be provided in a socket secured to the post 12, if desired. It will further be appreciated that, depending upon the position of the opening (s), only a single arm 54 may be required in some possible embodiments.

In each of the arrangements described hereinbefore, the posts 12 are designed such that the webbing 24 is dispensed from the rear side of the post, in the direction of movement of the dispenser device 10 during dispensing.

However, it will be appreciated that this need not be the case and the webbing 24 could, for example, be dispensed from the front side of the post. In such an arrangement, if wall mounting is desired, it may be desirable to mount a spool onto the wall in a suitable location, the end of the webbing of the wall mounted spool being securable to one of the posts. It will further be appreciated that the posts may be designed to allow webbing to be secured to, for example, the sides thereof.

Although the term webbing is used frequently herein, other types of flexible elongate member may be used as the barrier material, and the invention is not restricted to the use of webbing for this purpose.

Further alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.