Daniel C Quarles

US Patent:

20090008042, Jan 8, 2009

Filed:

Jul 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/167885

Inventors:

Ronald P. Snyder - Dubuque IA, US
Jason D. Miller - Iowa Falls IA, US
Donald P. Grant - Dubuque IA, US
Paul J. Maly - Mequon WI, US
Mike Gallenberger - Thiensville WI, US
Aaron J. Wiegel - Benton IA, US
Daniel M. Anderson - Oak Creek WI, US
Daniel Quarles - St. Petersburg FL, US
Eric Bublitz - Franklin WI, US
James Oates - Mequon WI, US
Joe Korman - Dubuque IA, US
Matthew C. McNeill - Mequon WI, US
Jason Dondlinger - Bellevue IA, US

International Classification:

A47G 5/02

US Classification:

160264

Abstract:

A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.