U.S. patent application number 13/715910 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for systems and methods for attaching barrier sheet material to extensible pole assemblies.
This patent application is currently assigned to FASTCAP, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Fastcap, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Akers, Jon Lussier.
Application Number | 20130099077 13/715910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42830843 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130099077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Akers; Paul ; et
al. |
April 25, 2013 |
Systems and Methods for Attaching Barrier Sheet Material to
Extensible Pole Assemblies
Abstract
A system for connecting sheet material to a pole extending
between a first surface and a second surface comprises a foot
member a foot member comprising a first attraction member and a
second attraction member. The foot member is detachably attached to
a first end of the pole. A second end of the pole is in contact
with the first surface. The first and second attraction members are
magnetically attracted to each other such that a first portion of
the sheet material is detachably attached to the foot member. The
foot member engages the second surface to hold the sheet material
in a desired configuration relative to the first surface and the
second surface.
Inventors: |
Akers; Paul; (Bellingham,
WA) ; Lussier; Jon; (Bellingham, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fastcap, LLC; |
Bellingham |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FASTCAP, LLC
Bellingham
WA
|
Family ID: |
42830843 |
Appl. No.: |
13/715910 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13455022 |
Apr 24, 2012 |
8336836 |
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13715910 |
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12902562 |
Oct 12, 2010 |
8162274 |
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13455022 |
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11985943 |
Nov 19, 2007 |
7810771 |
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12902562 |
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60859622 |
Nov 17, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/219.4 ;
248/218.4; 29/428; 29/505 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/243 20130101;
Y10S 52/12 20130101; Y10T 29/49908 20150115; F16M 13/00 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; E04G 25/00 20130101; E04G 21/30 20130101;
E04G 21/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/219.4 ;
248/218.4; 29/428; 29/505 |
International
Class: |
E04G 25/00 20060101
E04G025/00; F16M 13/00 20060101 F16M013/00 |
Claims
1. A system for connecting sheet material to a pole extending
between a first surface and a second surface, comprising: a foot
member comprising a first attraction member; a second attraction
member; whereby the foot member is detachably attached to a first
end of the pole; a second end of the pole is in contact with the
first surface; the first and second attraction members are
magnetically attracted to each other such that a first portion of
the sheet material is detachably attached to the foot member; and
the foot member engages the second surface to hold the sheet
material in a desired configuration relative to the first surface
and the second surface.
2. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the foot member
comprises: a body portion; a flange portion adapted to engage the
second surface; and at least one arm portion extending between the
body portion and the flange portion; whereby the flange portion of
the foot member engages the second surface through a second portion
of the sheet material; and the at least one arm portion deforms
when the flange portion applies pressure to the second surface
through the second portion of the sheet material.
3. A system as recited in claim 2, in which the foot member defines
a plurality of arm portions, where at least one of the arm portions
deforms when the flange portion applies pressure to the second
surface through the first portion of the sheet material.
4. A system as recited in claim 2, in which: the flange portion of
the foot member defines a flange upper surface; the body portion of
the foot member defines a reference surface; and deformation of the
at least one arm portion allows an angle between the upper surface
and the body reference surface to change when the flange portion
applies pressure to the second surface through the first portion of
the sheet material.
5. A system as recited in claim 2, in which: the body portion and
the flange portion are separated from each other by a space; and
the at least one arm portion occupies a portion of the space
separating the body portion and the flange portion.
6. A system as recited in claim 1, in which: the first attraction
member is magnetically attractable; and the second attraction
member is a magnet.
7. A system as recited in claim 1, in which: the foot member
portion defines a body upper surface; and the first attraction
member is sized and dimensioned to fit between the body upper
surface and the second surface when the foot member engages the
second surface.
8. A system as recited in claim 2, in which: the flange portion of
the foot member defines a flange upper surface; the body portion of
the foot member defines a body upper surface; the second attraction
member is arranged against the body upper surface; and the body
surface is offset from the flange upper surface such that the first
attraction member lies substantially between the body upper surface
and the second surface when the foot member engages the second
surface.
9. A system as recited in claim 2, in which the first portion of
the sheet material at least partly surrounds the second portion of
the sheet material.
10. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a cavity is
formed in the foot member; a ball is mounted on the pole; and a
clip is secured to the pole; whereby the cavity receives the ball
and the clip to detachably attach the body portion of the foot
member to the pole.
11. A method of supporting sheet material in a desired
configuration relative to first and second surfaces: providing a
pole: providing a foot member; attaching a first attraction member
to the foot member; detachably attaching the foot member to a first
end of the pole; arranging the pole such that a second end of the
pole is in contact with the first surface; arranging a second
attraction member such that magnetic attraction between the first
and second attraction members detachably attaches a first portion
of the sheet material to the foot member; and engaging the foot
member with the second surface to hold the sheet material in the
desired configuration relative to the first and second
surfaces.
12. A method as recited in claim 11, in which step of providing the
foot member comprises the steps of: providing a body portion;
providing a flange portion adapted to engage the second surface;
and extending at least one arm portion between the body portion and
the flange portion; engaging the flange portion of the foot member
with the second surface through a second portion of the sheet
material such that the at least one arm portion deforms.
13. A method as recited in claim 12, in which: the step of
providing the foot member comprises the step of providing a
plurality of arm portions; and the step of engaging the flange
portion with the second surface comprises the step of deforming at
least one of the arm portions.
14. A method as recited in claim 12, in which: the flange portion
of the foot member defines a flange upper surface; the body portion
of the foot member defines a reference surface; and deformation of
the at least one arm portion allows an angle between the upper
surface and the body reference surface to change when the flange
portion applies pressure to the second surface through the first
portion of the sheet material.
15. A method as recited in claim 12, in which the step of providing
the foot member comprises the steps of: separating the body portion
and the flange portion from each other by a space; and forming the
at least one arm portion such that the at least one arm portion
occupies a portion of the space separating the body portion and the
flange portion.
16. A method as recited in claim 11, in which: the first attraction
member is magnetically attractable; and the second attraction
member is a magnet.
17. A method as recited in claim 11, in which: the foot member
portion defines a body upper surface; and the first attraction
member is sized and dimensioned to fit between the body upper
surface and the second surface when the foot member engages the
second surface.
18. A method as recited in claim 12, in which: the flange portion
of the foot member defines a flange upper surface; the body portion
of the foot member defines a body upper surface; the step of
arranging the second attraction member comprises the step of
arranging the second attraction member against the body upper
surface, where the body surface is offset from the flange upper
surface such that the first attraction member lies substantially
between the body upper surface and the second surface when the foot
member engages the second surface.
19. A method as recited in claim 12, in which the first portion of
the sheet material at least partly surrounds the second portion of
the sheet material.
20. A method as recited in claim 12, in which: the step of
providing the foot member comprises the step of forming a cavity in
the foot member; and the step of providing the pole comprises the
steps of mounting a ball on the pole; and securing a clip is
secured to the pole such that the cavity receives the ball and the
clip to detachably attach the body portion of the foot member to
the pole.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application (Attorney's Ref. No. P217253) is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/455,022 filed Apr. 24,
2012.
[0002] U.S. application Ser. No. 13/455,022 is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 12/902,562 filed Oct. 12, 2010, now U.S.
Pat. No. 8,162,274, which issued on Apr. 24, 2012.
[0003] U.S. application Ser. No. 12/902,562 is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/985,943 filed Nov. 19, 2007, now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,810,771, which issued Oct. 12, 2010.
[0004] U.S. application Ser. No. 11/985,943 claims benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/859,622 filed Nov. 17,
2006.
[0005] The contents of all applications cited above are
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0006] The present invention relates to systems and methods of
supporting sheet material to form a barrier and, in particular, to
attachment systems and methods that facilitate the temporary
connection of sheet material to an extensible pole assembly during
erection of the barrier.
BACKGROUND
[0007] An extensible pole assembly typically comprises first and
second extension members. One of the first and second extension
members is slidably received by the other extension member. An
extensible pole assembly may comprise more than two extension
members, and one of the extension members is typically
telescopically received within the other extension member.
[0008] An effective length of the extensible pole assembly is
defined by the first and second extension members, and this
effective length can be changed by sliding the extension members
relative to each other. In use, the extensible pole assembly is
typically in compression between two objects, and a locking system
is used to lock the extension members together to fix the effective
length of the extensible pole assembly between the two objects.
[0009] First and second foot assemblies are typically attached to
the free ends of the first and second extension members,
respectively. The foot assemblies define foot portions adapted to
engage the shape and surface characteristics of object against
which the foot assembly is forced.
[0010] Additionally, an advancing system may be arranged between
one or both of the free ends of the extension members and the foot
assembly associated therewith. If used, the advancing system allows
the foot assembly to be displaced in short increments relative to
the extension member associated therewith; the foot assembly is
securely held in place after each advancement to ensure that the
extensible pole assembly is kept in tension during operation of the
advancing system.
[0011] Extensible pole assemblies are used during a variety of
construction activities, such as maintaining a workpiece in place
and/or displacing a workpiece. One use of an extension pole is to
hold a portion of a barrier sheet in position relative to a
structure to the structure into smaller areas. For example, the
remodel of a structure may require the construction activities to
overlap in time with normal use of the structure as a dwelling or
work place. Construction activities can result in contamination of
the air that can be a nuisance to people in the area of these
activities. Accordingly, a barrier sheet may be installed within
the structure to divide the structure into a construction area and
a non-construction area. The barrier sheet will thus inhibit
movement of contaminated air between the construction and
non-construction areas.
[0012] To support the barrier sheet within a structure, one or more
extensible pole assemblies are typically extended between the floor
and the ceiling structure. The barrier sheet is held against the
ceiling by the uppermost portions of the extensible pole
assemblies.
[0013] The need thus exists for improved systems and methods for
facilitating the use of general purpose extensible pole assemblies
to support a barrier sheet.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present invention may be embodied as a system for
connecting sheet material to a pole extending between a first
surface and a second surface, comprising a foot member a foot
member comprising a first attraction member and a second attraction
member. The foot member is detachably attached to a first end of
the pole. A second end of the pole is in contact with the first
surface. The first and second attraction members are magnetically
attracted to each other such that a first portion of the sheet
material is detachably attached to the foot member. The foot member
engages the second surface to hold the sheet material in a desired
configuration relative to the first surface and the second
surface.
[0015] The present invention may also be embodied as a method of
supporting sheet material in a desired configuration relative to
first and second surfaces comprising the following steps. A pole
and a foot member are provided. A first attraction member is
attached to the foot member. The foot member is detachably attached
to a first end of the pole. The pole such is arranged that a second
end of the pole is in contact with the first surface. A second
attraction member is arranged such that magnetic attraction between
the first and second attraction members detachably attaches a first
portion of the sheet material to the foot member. The foot member
is arranged with the second surface to hold the sheet material in
the desired configuration relative to the first and second
surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view depicting an example barrier
system in which an attachment system of the present invention may
be used;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of an example attachment
system of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of the example attachment
system similar to that of FIG. 2A illustrating deformation of arm
portions such that an angle between an upper surface of a flange
portion is at an angle of other than 90 degrees relative to a
longitudinal axis of the attachment system;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the example attachment system
depicted in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the example
attachment system depicted in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a section view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 3
illustrating engagement of the example attachment system depicted
in FIG. 1 with an extensible pole assembly and sheet material;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a section view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 2;
and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a section view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating
disengagement of the example attachment system depicted in FIG. 1
from the sheet material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring initially to FIGS. 5 and 7 of the drawing,
depicted therein is an attachment system 20 for detachably
attaching a sheet material 22 to an extensible pole member 24
forming part of an extensible pole assembly. FIG. 1 illustrates
that a plurality of such attachment systems 20 may be used with a
plurality of such extensible pole assembly members 24 to support
the sheet material 22 relative to floor and ceiling surfaces 26 and
28. So supported, the sheet material 22 may be arranged to form a
barrier system. The barrier system formed by the sheet material 22
is conventional and will not be described herein beyond what is
necessary for a complete understanding of the construction and
operation of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates that the example attachment system 20
comprises a foot assembly 30 comprising a foot member 32, an
optional pad member 34, and a first attractable member 36. FIG. 4
further illustrates that the example attachment system 20 further
comprises a second attractable member 40 and an optional clip
member 42. The first and second attractable members 36 and 40
and/or the optional clip member 42 form a retaining system that
detachably attaches a second portion of the sheet material 22 to
the foot member 32 as will be described in further detail
below.
[0026] FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 illustrate that the example foot member 32
comprises a body portion 50 from which extends at least one arm
portion 52 that supports a flange portion 54. The body portion 50
defines a connecting portion 56 and a longitudinal axis A of the
attachment system 20. The example foot member 32 comprises four of
the arm portions 52.
[0027] The example body portion 50 defines a first body cavity 60
and a second body cavity 62. The flange portion 54 defines a flange
opening 64. As will be described in further detail below, the
example first body cavity 60 is adapted to allow the connecting
portion 56 to engage an end of the extensible pole member 24. The
second body cavity 62 is sized and dimensioned to receive the first
attractable member 36. The flange opening 64 is sized and
dimensioned to allow the second attractable member 40 to pass
through the flange opening 64.
[0028] As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, the arm portions
52 are configured to space the flange portion 54 from the body
portion 50 such that an upper surface 50a of the body portion 50 is
spaced from an upper surface 54a of the flange portion 54 along the
longitudinal axis A. The second body cavity 62 is formed in the
upper surface 50a of the body portion 50 along the longitudinal
axis A. In the example foot member 32, the first attractable member
36 is snugly received within the second body cavity 62 with an
exposed surface 36a of the member 36 flush with the upper surface
50a of the body portion 50.
[0029] The example arm portions 52 are made of a resilient
material. Accordingly, while the upper surface 50a of the body
portion 50 is parallel to the upper surface 54a of the flange
portion 54 when no asymmetrical forces are applied to the flange
portion 54, the upper surface 54a of the flange portion 54 may be
at an angle relative to the upper surface 50a of the body portion
50 when asymmetrical forces are applied to the flange portion 54.
As shown in FIG. 2B, resilient arm portions 52 thus allow the foot
member 32 to deflect or deform such that an angle between the upper
surface 54a of the flange portion is at an angle of other than 90
degrees relative to the longitudinal axis A. FIG. 2B further
illustrates that the upper surface 50a forms a reference surface A2
of the body portion 50, and an angle between the reference surface
A2 and a reference plane A1 associated with the flange portion
54.
[0030] The exact configuration of the connecting portion 56 is not
critical to any particular implementation of an attachment system
of the present invention. The example first body cavity 60 formed
in the connecting portion is defined by a generally cylindrical
inner side wall surface 50b and rounded inner end wall surface 50c
of the body portion 50. The first body cavity 60 is thus designed
to receive an end of the extensible pole member 24 such that, at
least while the pole member 24 is in compression, the foot assembly
30 stays in place during the process of assembling a barrier
system.
[0031] The example extensible pole member 24 comprises a shaft
portion 70 that terminates at its upper end in a ball portion 72.
The diameter of the inner side wall surface 50b of the first body
cavity 60 is approximately the same as a diameter of the ball
portion 72, and the inner end wall surface 50c of the first body
cavity 60 is defined by a radius of curvature that is approximately
the same as that of the ball portion 72. The first body cavity 60
thus allows the ball portion 72 to come into contact with the end
wall surface 50c thereof as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
[0032] In many situations, the engagement of the shaft portion 70
and ball portion 72 of the extensible pole member 24 with the first
body cavity 60 foot member 32 will be sufficient to allow a barrier
system to be formed using the foot assembly 30. However, to form a
more rigid connection between the foot assembly 30 and the
extensible pole member 24, the optional clip member 42 may be
used.
[0033] As perhaps best shown in FIG. 4, the example clip member 42
comprises a clip portion 80, a radial flange portion 82, and a
longitudinal flange portion 84. A channel 86 extends through the
clip portion 80 from a flange surface 82a on the radial flange
portion 82 to a tip surface 80a on the clip portion 80. The clip
portion 80 defines a cylindrical surface portion 80b and a tapered
surface portion 80c. Guide surfaces 80d and 80e are formed on the
clip portion 80 on either side of the channel 86.
[0034] A distance between the guide surfaces 80c and 80d is
slightly smaller than a diameter of the shaft portion 70 of the
extensible pole member 24, and a diameter of the channel 86 is
substantially the same as a diameter of the shaft portion 70.
Additionally, an outer diameter of the cylindrical surface portion
80b of the clip portion 80 is substantially the same as the
diameter of the inner side wall surface 50b, while a diameter of
the tapered surface portion 80c decreases away from the cylindrical
surface portion 80b.
[0035] In use, the guide surfaces 80d and 80e are brought into
contact with the shaft portion 70 of the extensible pole member 24.
The application of deliberate manual pressure on the clip portion
80 towards the extensible pole assembly causes the clip portion 80
to deform slightly such that the guide surfaces 80d and 80e
separate sufficiently to allow the shaft portion 70 to enter the
channel 86. At this point, the clip member 42 may be slid up such
that first the tapered surface portion 80c and then the cylindrical
surface portion 80b enters the first body cavity 60. At this point,
the tip surface 80a on the clip member 42 engages the ball portion
72 of the extensible pole assembly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows that the clip member 42 snugly occupies the
space that would otherwise exist between the inner side wall
surface 50b and the surface of the shaft portion 70 of the
extensible pole member 24. Friction between the clip member 42,
pole shaft portion 70, and the inner side wall surface 50b thus
inhibits movement of the foot member 32 relative to the extensible
pole member 24. At this point, a longitudinal axis B of the
extensible pole member 24 is substantially aligned with the
longitudinal axis A of the foot member 32.
[0037] As depicted in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, the pad member 34 may be
attached to the upper surface 54a of the flange portion 54. The
example pad member 34 is made of resiliently compressible material
and may reduce the likelihood of damage to the ceiling surface 28
by the foot assembly 30. The pad member may be glued or otherwise
connected to the flange upper surface 54a; the example pad member
34 is secured to the flange portion 54 by projections 90 that
extend into corresponding holes 92 (FIG. 4) in the flange portion
54.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the sheet material 22 is
detachably attached to the foot assembly 30 by arranging a portion
of the sheet material 22 above the flange opening 64 and then
bringing the second attractable member 40 into proximity with the
first attractable member 36. The members 36 and 40 attract each
other such that, when they are brought into proximity with each
other, the attraction force clamps the sheet material 22 between
the attractable members 36 and 40 (FIG. 5) to attach the sheet
material 22 to the end of the extensible pole assembly 24. However,
deliberate application of manual force may be used to pull the
second attractable member 40 away from the first attractable member
36 as shown in FIG. 7 to detach sheet material 22 from the end of
the extensible pole assembly 24.
[0039] In the example system 20, one of the first and second
attractable members 36 and 40 is a magnet and the other of the
first and second attractable members 40 is a piece of metal that is
magnetically attracted to the magnet. By making the first
attractable member 36 a magnet and the second attractable member 36
a metal disc, any small piece of metal (e.g., nut, washer, plug)
may be used as the second attractable member 36 should the original
metal disk become lost.
[0040] The spacing of the upper surface 50a of the body portion 50
from the upper surface 54a of the flange portion 54 described above
creates a cavity between the body upper surface 50a when the foot
assembly 30 engages the ceiling surface 28. This cavity
accommodates the second attractable member 36 depicted in FIGS. 4,
5, and 7 and many other sizes and shapes of second attractable
members without allowing the second attractable member to come into
contact with the ceiling surface 28.
[0041] If the extensible pole assembly 24 is not perfectly
vertical, the longitudinal axis B of the pole 24 may be at an angle
relative to the ceiling surface 28. To accommodate this angle and
still allow the flange upper surface 54a to be parallel to the
ceiling surface 28, the arm portions 52 can deform slightly as
generally described above.
[0042] The scope of the present invention should be determined by
the claims appended hereto and not the foregoing detailed
description.
* * * * *