[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in any Patent or Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0002] Unless expressly provided by law, the filing of the present specification by the applicant is in no way intended to operate as a dedication to the public of any copyright, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights and interests of any kind in and to the described subject matter of this patent document. For greater certainty and to the full extent as may be permitted by law, the applicant expressly reserves all such rights and interests notwithstanding the filing of the present application.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure relates to barrier storage cartridges. In particular the disclosure relates to barrier storage cartridges, and uses for such cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] It is common practice that barrier fencing is manufactured and delivered to customers in rolls. Those rolls are delivered with or without a protective covering. After the rolls are purchased they are then cut to a length by the end user best suited for the required application. Once the barrier fencing is taken out of service it is difficult or at the least very time consuming to rewind the barrier material to a suitable sized roll. The result is generally an unwieldy bundled section of barrier fencing that is difficult to handle, transport and store and therefore can often become discarded and wasted.

[0005] There is a need to address at least some of the above-noted issues.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] One aspect of the disclosure provides a barrier storage cartridge comprising: an external casing having a top, a bottom, at least one wall connecting the top to the bottom and defining part of an interior space for the casing, the at least one wall defining a longitudinal opening through which the interior space is accessible; an internal shaft longitudinally disposed substantially along a longitudinal central axis line of the interior space; and a mechanism for rotating the internal shaft longitudinally about the central axis line of the interior space.

[0007] A further aspect of the disclosure provides a barrier storage cartridge further comprising a flexible material which is attached to the internal shaft, which may be rolled around said internal shaft when the internal shaft is rotated, and which may be extracted from the interior space within the hard external casing by passing through the longitudinal opening therein. In a further embodiment the flexible material is a flexible barrier.

[0008] Further aspects of the disclosure provide that the hard external casing is plastic or metal, or some other hard material.

[0009] Further aspects of the disclosure provide that the hard external casing further comprises handles on the exterior surface, and the end of the flexible material which is not attached to the interior shaft is fitted with an attachment mechanism, such that the attachment mechanism on the flexible material may be fitted into the handles on the external casing when the flexible material has been partially or fully withdrawn from the interior space. A further aspect provides that an attachment mechanism may be fitted anywhere along the flexible material, and which attachment mechanism is attachable to flexible material and external casings.

[0010] A further aspect of the disclosure provides a barrier storage cartridge wherein the hard external casing further comprises a removable spike which may be used to fix the barrier storage cartridge into the ground in a vertical position.

[0011] A further aspect of the disclosure provides a barrier storage cartridge wherein the hard external casing further comprises a removable pedestal which may be used to fix the barrier storage cartridge in a vertical position.

[0012] Further aspects of the disclosure provide that the mechanism for rotating the interior shaft is manually operated, spring-loaded or motorized, or a combination thereof.

[0013] A further aspect of the disclosure provides a use of a barrier storage cartridge wherein the barrier storage cartridge is in a substantially vertical position.

[0014] A further aspect of the disclosure provides a use of a barrier storage cartridge wherein the barrier storage cartridge is in a substantially horizontal position. [0015] In other aspects various combinations of sets and subsets of the above aspects are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The foregoing and other aspects of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a side view of a barrier storage cartridge, of an embodiment with handles, showing flexible material extending from the barrier storage cartridge;

[0018] Figure 2 is a side view showing the barrier storage cartridge of Figure 1 , without handles, and without any flexible material attached to the interior shaft;

[0019] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the barrier storage cartridge of Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 4 is a top view of a crank handle of the barrier storage cartridge of Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 5 is a side view of the crank handle of Figure 4;

[0022] Figure 6 is an end view of the crank handle of Figure 4;

[0023] Figure 7 is a top view of a pedestal attachment of the barrier storage cartridge of Figure 1 ; and

[0024] Figure 8 is a side view of the pedestal attachment of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0025] The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not limitation, of those principles and of the disclosure. In the description, which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals.

[0026] Briefly, an embodiment provides a structure of a barrier storage cartridge suitable for storing flexible barriers, and other flexible materials. The barriers and other flexible materials can be extracted from the cartridge for use. Once the use of such barriers and other materials is complete, they can be retracted back into the cartridge by being rolled back around an interior shaft.

[0027] An aspect of an embodiment of the disclosure provides a storage cartridge fitted with a hand cranked mechanism that will allow users to rewind barrier fencing into a protective shell for transport and storage.

[0028] In various embodiments, such storage cartridges may be available in a variety of sizes best suited for the type and length of the barrier material. When the barrier fencing is not in use it is protected inside the cartridge and therefore will extend the life expectancy of the barrier fencing.

[0029] An embodiment provides a facility to rewind the barrier fencing into the storage cartridge, thereby making it easier and faster for users to quickly and neatly store the fencing. With the barrier fencing retracted into the cartridge it allows for a more orderly storage of barrier fencing. This capability not only extends the life of the barrier fencing but also reduces waste and saves on handling labour costs.

[0030] The present disclosure will be of value to at least those involved in the construction industry, public utilities, crowd and wildlife control, parks and recreation, sports venues and others who use barrier fencing and other flexible materials as part of doing business and/or providing services to the public.

[0031] A feature of an embodiment of the present disclosure is that flexible materials, including barriers, may be stored and protected within the cartridge, which saves time when handling the materials, and reduces waste, as opposed to prior art which describes devices that pay out and retract flexible barriers in other applications such as preventing personnel and equipment from falling through openings.

[0032] In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, Figures 1 and 2 show a side view of barrier storage cartridge 100. Casing 104 of barrier storage cartridge 100 may be generally cylindrical in shape, though it will be appreciated that other shapes for casing 104 may be employed (e.g. rectanguloid). The walls of casing 104 provide an exterior boundary for an interior space 108 within casing 104. A slotted opening 109 is provided along the height of casing 104 between exterior edges of the walls, providing an opening from the exterior of casing 104 to interior space 108. The walls may be provided as a singular wall or as a series of connected wall portions to define the boundary. Top 117a and bottom 1 17b provide end caps to casing 104. Top 117a, bottom 117b and casing 104 may comprise separate pieces, or may comprise a singular construction. Casing 04 may be made from plastic, metal, or another hard substance suitable for storing and protecting flexible materials suitable for roll up 101 , which may be stored inside interior space 108 within casing 104. Casing 104 may be rendered in any colour, and may have one or more reflective surfaces or indicia placed thereon to increase visibility.

[0033] Extending longitudinally through substantially the middle of barrier storage cartridge 100 is interior shaft 102. Interior shaft 102 is mounted to top 117a and bottom 117b of casing 104 such that it may be rotated within interior space 108 about a central axis of casing 104. A recess in the center of bottom 117b may be provided to receive the lower end of interior shaft 102 and to allow shaft 102 to rotate freely or mostly freely within casing 104. An opening in about the center of top 117a (not shown) may allow interior shaft 102 to extend from the interior space 108 to above casing 104. If an opening is not provided in top 117a, a recess in the center of top 117a may be provided to receive the upper end of interior shaft 102 and to allow interior shaft 102 to rotate freely or mostly freely within casing 104.

[0034] Casing 104 defines slotted opening 109 which runs longitudinally along one side of casing 104. Slotted opening 109 is of a size that will permit flexible material 101 to be withdrawn from interior space 108, and to be retracted back into interior space 108. Slotted opening 109 may be of various widths, such as up to half of the circumference of casing 104, if a cylindrical casing is used, for example, to allow unimpeded extraction and retraction of flexible material 101.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a cut away section of flexible material 101 extracted from barrier storage cartridge 100 while attached to interior shaft 102 at one end. Flexible material 101 may be a flexible barrier of the type used in the construction industry, for example. It may also be any other type of flexible material suitable for roll up including, without limitation, net, mesh, canvass, fabric, plastic and flexible inflatable material. It will be appreciated that barrier storage cartridge 100 may also be used with other types of linear materials suitable for roll up, such as rope, chain, wire, string and flexible tubing, for example. One or both edges of slotted opening 109 may optionally be fitted with a cutting edge for cutting the flexible material, or a compression edge designed to squeeze air out of inflated flexible material as the material is retracted.

[0036] Looking at Figure 1 , flexible material 101 may be wound around interior shaft 102. At one end of flexible material 101 , it can be connected to interior shaft 102. At an opposite end of flexible material 101 , bar 111 may be provided. Bar 111 provides rigidity for flexible material 101 at its opposite end, so that as flexible material 101 is paid out from casing 104, flexible material 101 is easier to handle by the operator. It will be appreciated that if flexible material 101 is partially wound about interior shaft 102, or if it is attached to interior shaft 102 at one end, flexible material 101 may be wound around interior shaft 102 by rotating interior shaft 102 in a particular direction. It will also be appreciated that if flexible material 101 is being withdrawn from barrier storage cartridge 100, interior shaft 102 would rotate in the other direction. Flexible material 101 may be permanently attached to interior shaft 102, or an attachment mechanism may be employed such that the material may be removably attached thereto. Such an attachment mechanism may include a hook and eye style of attachment, clips on interior shaft 102 which can engage with flexible material 101 , a slot and groove style of attachment, or any other mechanism reasonably known to one skilled in the art.

[0037] Interior shaft 102 may be attached to a mechanism for rotating interior shaft 102 to retract and/or extract flexible material 101 into and from casing 104. Figures 1 and 2 show interior shaft 102 attached to a manually operated crank handle 103. Crank handle 103 is attached to one end of interior shaft 102, which end of interior shaft 102 extends through a hole in one end of casing 104. The other end of interior shaft is fitted into the other end of casing 104 such that it is fixed in position, but is free to rotate relative to casing 104. When crank handle 103 is rotationally turned around the central axis of barrier storage cartridge 100, interior shaft 102 also rotates. It will be appreciated that, while crank handle 103 is depicted in the Figures, other methods of rotating interior shaft 102 may be employed, such as a spring-loaded interior shaft, or a motorized mechanism. Crank handle 103 may be a singular construction, or may be comprised of multiple pieces. For example, crank handle 103 may comprise a handle which is rotatable around a shaft.

[0038] Casing 104 may be optionally fitted with one or more handles 105, having openings 110. Handles 105 may be used for carrying barrier storage cartridge 100 and fixing other attachments. For example, the free end of flexible material 101 may be fitted with an attachment mechanism (such as latches 112 on bar 111), which provide a series of connectors to mate with openings 110 in handle 105 as flexible material 101 is partially or fully extended to prevent retraction of flexible material 101. Such attachment mechanism may be a hook for inserting into handles 105 of casing 104, for example. The attachment mechanism may be movable or twistable, such that the attachment mechanism may be placed in a first position (e.g. a vertical orientation), which facilitates engagement of latch 112 into opening 110, and may be then placed in a second, locked position (e.g. a horizontal orientation) by twisting it to lock latch 112 within opening 110. Although certain attachment mechanisms have been described as examples, it will be appreciated that any attachment mechanism wherein a first attachment mechanism is provided on casing 104 and a second attachment mechanism is provided along or attached to material 101 , such that the first and second mechanisms cooperate with each other to selectively lock themselves together. Additionally, handles 105 are not necessarily required for attachment of one end of flexible material 101 to casing 104. It will be appreciated that any attachment mechanism which allows the free end of flexible material 101 to connect to casing 104 may employed, such as a latch-type mechanism, a hook mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, and others.

[0039] It will be appreciated that this ability to attach the end of flexible material 101 into handle 105, or otherwise to casing 104, may permit multiple barrier storage cartridges 100 and flexible materials 101 to be attached one to another. In some embodiments, handles 105 may receive and lock two or more ends of two or more flexible materials 101 thereto from two or more casings 104.

[0040] It will also be appreciated that bar 111 may be detachable from the end of flexible material 101 , and may be attachable at various points along flexible material 101. Similarly, additional bars 116 with latches 112 could be fixed, or removably attached along flexible material 101. It will be appreciated that such additional bars 116 could be the same size as bar 111 , or a different size. It will also be appreciated that latches 112 could be fixed, or removably attached, along flexible material 101 without a need for additional bar 116.

Latches 112 may be aligned with handles 105. Bars 111 , additional bars 116 and latches 112 which may be attached along flexible material 101 permit for flexible material 101 to be attached to other flexible material 101 at different points, or to the same flexible material 101 , and to other barrier storage cartridges 100, or to the same barrier storage cartridge 100, which permits for various options when connecting flexible materials 101 and barrier storage cartridges 100 to each other.

[0041] Bottom 117b may have an opening 106 in the centre having a dimension to receive the interior shaft 102. This bottom opening allows access to a hollow interior shaft 102 for the mounting of barrier storage cartridge 100 to a ground spike. Where ground conditions permit, barrier storage cartridge 100 may be fixed in place using only the ground spike. Bottom 117b may also be fitted with more than one hole 113 through in flanges of bottom 117b through which spikes or posts can be inserted for fixing barrier storage cartridge 100 to the ground or other surfaces.

[0042] Figures 7 and 8 show a pedestal 107, which may be permanently attached or may be removable from casing 104. Pedestal 107 provides an extra support mechanism for casing 104. Legs 114 effectively extend the height of casing 104. The bottom 117b may be shaped such that it may be fitted onto the top of pedestal 107. For example, the bottom of casing 104 may be fitted with holes which may receive posts on the top of pedestal 107. Thus, where ground conditions do not permit the use of a ground spike, or where an alternative to the ground spike is preferred, pedestal 107 may be used to maintain barrier storage cartridge 100 in a fixed vertical position when extracting and retracting flexible material 101. In a removable configuration, casing 104 may be oriented in a first locked position, locking casing 104 to pedestal 107 and a second unlocked position, allowed casing 104 to be detached from pedestal 107. Blocks 115 on pedestal 107 may cooperate with features of bottom 117b to assist in locking casing 104 to pedestal 107.

[0043] As noted, one embodiment of a barrier storage cartridge provides a storage and payment system for a fencing structure. It will be appreciated that embodiments may be provided in any dimension and shapes. As an example, the barrier storage cartridge may be dimensioned to store and pay out materials being anywhere between approximately 1 and 10 feet in length. Only as an example, an embodiment of the barrier storage cartridge may be approximately 5 feet in overall height and approximately 1 foot in diameter. Also as an example, the flexible material could be approximately 50 feet in length and 4 feet in height. It is to be appreciated, however, that the dimensions provided in the disclosure are by way of example only, and that other dimensions may also be employed.

[0044] While the use of the barrier storage cartridge has been described with the barrier storage cartridge in a substantially vertical position, it will also be appreciated that the barrier storage cartridge may also be used in other positions, including substantially horizontally.

[0045] Although the disclosure has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0046] The embodiments of the disclosure in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following claims.