US20070044388A1

US20070044388A1 - Configurable isolation system

Info

Publication number: US20070044388A1
Application number: US11/217,541
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Lajoie; Francis McKee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-01
Filing date: 2005-09-01
Publication date: 2007-03-01

Abstract

A configurable isolation device is provided and includes a device structure, wherein the device structure includes a side portion, the side portion defining a barrier cavity and including a barrier cavity opening communicated with the barrier cavity. A barrier is also provided, wherein the barrier is configurable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, wherein the barrier includes a first barrier end and a second barrier end, the first barrier end being associated with the barrier cavity opening such that the first barrier end is at least partially disposed external to the barrier cavity and a barrier configuration device non-movably associated with the second barrier end, wherein the barrier configuration device is movably associated with the device structure to configure the barrier between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to a system for creating an isolated area and more particularly to a self-contained, retractable isolation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the general population increases, the cities and rural communities have become increasingly over crowded, resulting in an increase of land use restrictions and a decrease in the size of the average house lot. As such, personal privacy is often very difficult to maintain and solitude has become a luxury for the homeowner or apartment tenant. For example, an apartment tenant or condominium owner may want to enjoy his/her backyard patio or deck in privacy only to find that neighbors and/or passerby's have a clear view of the homeowner's activities. This is particularly evident with luxury homes that are constructed along golf courses or beaches, where golfer's walking along the fairway or beachgoers walking along the beach may view everything that is happening on the deck or patio and in some cases, what is happening within the condominium itself.
One approach that may be used to resolve this problem might be to install a solid fence or enclosure around the deck or patio. Unfortunately however, this approach has several disadvantages. One disadvantage involves the diminution or total loss of enjoyment of being outdoors. This is because the construction of a solid fence around a deck or patio would effectively enclose the deck or patio area, restricting or blocking the view, restricting or eliminating exposure to plant and animal life and blocking sun light and any pleasant breezes. Another disadvantage involves the permanency of the enclosure itself. This is because most solid fences are not removable or adjustable and those that are tend to be very cumbersome and very expensive. Yet another disadvantage involves the inability to erect a fence or enclosure around a pool or patio. This is because most apartments, condominiums or housing developments have associations that govern what owners/tenants may do or build on their property. Still yet another disadvantage involves the aesthetic appearance of the fence or enclosure.
Another approach that may be used to resolve this problem involves the use of a fabric and/or screen structure. Historically fabric structures, enclosures, screens and fences have been used for a variety of applications. Large fabric domes cover outdoor arenas, shopping malls, swimming pools, tennis courts and other locations having a need for a customized privacy enclosure. Unfortunately however, due to their size and complexity fabric domes are typically not well-suited for an individual homeowner, especially if the area sought to be enclosed is small or has some type of overhang. Additionally, a dome structure is not well adapted to ensure privacy. Specifically, to provide sufficient seclusion for a porch or patio the perimeter of the dome would have to extend down to such an extent that the deck or patio would essentially be enveloped by the structure. Moreover, these domes tend to be structurally complicated making disassembly and storage cumbersome and impractical.
Currently, although there have been several attempts to address the disadvantages discussed hereinabove, each of these attempts have proved either unsuccessful or only moderately successful. One such attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,646 to Lutostanski which teaches a convertible enclosure adapted to cover an outside area, such as a hot tub. Unfortunately however, this enclosure is intended for a specific function although the disclosed enclosure may provide a modicum of protection from the elements such as sunlight, rain and/or snow, it does not provide privacy. Additionally, this enclosure requires an overhead support skeleton capable of supporting a durable, weatherproof vinyl cover. Another attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,909 to King et al. which teaches a freestanding privacy screen for cordoning off a desired area. Unfortunately however, this type of privacy screen is cumbersome, not portable and is intended for use within an office environment to form office cubicles.
Another such attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,893 to Neer which teaches a flexible decorative screen attached to pole structures to form a perimeter around a deck, pool or patio, wherein the screen is essentially wrapped around and attached to the poles in a manner that creates a modicum of privacy for those who using the deck, pool or patio. Unfortunately however, several disadvantages exist with this screen. First, while the decorative screen itself is removable and storable, the screen assembly is not portable. This is because the freestanding poles to which it attaches must remain securely in place either by being embedded into the ground or by being embedded into the deck or patio structure itself. Second, the screen setup is elaborate requiring the installation of guide rails to guide a series of rollers having hooks for holding up and moving the screen, similar to that of a shower curtain. Third, the freestanding poles are not aesthetically pleasing and may in fact present dangerous obstacles to children running and playing in the area.
Another such attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,310 to Kubly, et al. which teaches a roll-up curtain assembly for use as a partition, wherein the curtain assembly requires a plurality of vertically spaced curtain sections each of which includes a motorized roll-up rod assembly for opening and closing each of the curtain sections. Unfortunately however, this assembly also includes several disadvantages. First, the assembly is not easily removed and is certainly not portable. As such, the assembly must be used with a secured structure. Second, the size of the screen in the assembly is not adjustable and as such, the size of the screen must be customized for the size of the area or length of the structure. Third, because each section in the assembly is coupled together they must open and close in unison decreasing the reliability by increasing the probability of a malfunction. Fourth, the assembly requires power to open and close the screens. Thus, either several batteries must be supplied with each curtain section or several plug outlets must be available to power the assembly. This is not only inconvenient but also dangerous as this type of screen is for outdoor use and will most likely be exposed to the elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A configurable isolation device is provided and includes a device structure, wherein the device structure includes a side portion, the side portion defining a barrier cavity and including a barrier cavity opening communicated with the barrier cavity. A barrier is also provided, wherein the barrier is configurable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, wherein the barrier includes a first barrier end and a second barrier end, the first barrier end being associated with the barrier cavity opening such that the first barrier end is at least partially disposed external to the barrier cavity and a barrier configuration device non-movably associated with the second barrier end, wherein the barrier configuration device is movably associated with the device structure to configure the barrier between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration.
A configurable isolation device is provided and includes a barrier, the barrier having a first barrier end and a second barrier end, wherein the first barrier end includes a barrier connection device for connecting the first barrier end to a structure and a barrier configuration device, wherein the barrier configuration device is non-movably associated with the second barrier end and wherein the barrier configuration device is rotatable about an axis a to configure the barrier between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1 being implemented with a deck;
FIG. 9 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 1 being implemented with the deck of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a front view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;
FIG. 15 is a front view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10;
FIG. 16 is a top down view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10 being implemented as a standalone system;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10 being implemented with a deck;
FIG. 18 is a side view of the configurable isolation system of FIG. 10 being implemented with a deck and having a covering device; and
FIG. 19 is a top down view of a configurable isolation system in accordance with a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a configurable isolation device 100 is shown and includes a device structure 102 defining a barrier cavity 104 for containing at least one barrier device 106. The device structure 102 includes a device top portion 108, a device bottom portion 110 and at least one device side portion 112, wherein at least one of the at least one side portion 112 defines a barrier opening 114 communicated with the barrier cavity 104. The barrier device 106 includes a barrier configuration device 116 and a barrier 118 having a first barrier end 120 and a second barrier end 122, wherein the first barrier end 120 includes a barrier interface device 124 and wherein the second barrier end 122 is securely associated with the barrier configuration device 116. The barrier 118 may include a barrier connection device 117 associated with the first barrier end 120 to provide a means for securely associating the first barrier end 120 with a support structure.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the barrier configuration device 116 is movably associated with the device structure 102 such that the barrier configuration device 116 resiliently rotates about an axis a. This allows the barrier 118 to be springingly configured between an extended configuration 126 and a retracted configuration 128. As such, when the barrier 118 is configured into the extended configuration 126, the resilient nature of the barrier configuration device 116 causes a force F₁to be applied to the barrier 118 in the direction of the barrier configuration device 124 to cause the barrier 118 to be configured into the retracted configuration 128. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the barrier device 106 is at least partially disposed within the barrier cavity 104 and the barrier interface device 124 is disposed external to the device structure 102 to be adjacent the barrier opening 114, wherein the barrier interface device 124 is sized and/or shaped such that at least a portion of the barrier 118 is disposed external to the barrier cavity 104.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, to configure the barrier 118 from the retracted configuration 128 into the extended configuration 126, a force F₂directed away from the barrier configuration device 116 is applied to the barrier interface device 124 to cause the barrier configuration device 116 to resiliently rotate about the axis a and to cause at least a portion of the barrier 118 to be disposed external to the barrier cavity 104. The first barrier end 120 may then be securingly associated with a positionably stable structure via the barrier connection device 117 such that the barrier 118 remains in the extended configuration 126. To configure the barrier from the extended configuration 126 into the retracted configuration 128, the barrier interface device 124 is disassociated from the positionably stable structure and the force F₁applied to the barrier 118 by the barrier configuration device 124 causes the barrier 118 to be at least partially disposed within the barrier cavity 104 and become self-retractingly and wrappingly associated with the barrier configuration device 124. It should be appreciated that the force F₁may also be applied manually and/or automatically via at least one of a mechanical actuation device, such as a spring or a crank, and an electrical actuation device.
Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, one way to implement the self-retracting isolation device 100 is by disposing the device structure 102 adjacent a support structure 150 on a deck 152 or patio having at least one support structure 150. The device structure 102 may be free standing or may be securely associated with the support structure 150 via any method and/or device suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a clip, an attachment cord and a Velcro connector. A force F₂is applied to the barrier interface device 124 to cause the barrier 118 to be configured into the extended configuration 126. As the barrier 118 is being configured into the extended configuration 126, the barrier is disposed to be adjacent the deck support structure 150 to obstruct or limited visual exposure of the deck 152 or patio. When the barrier 118 is configured into the extended configuration 126, the first barrier end 120 is securingly associated with an anchor support structure 154 via the barrier connection device 117 to maintain the barrier 118 in the extended configuration. The barrier 118 may be configured into the retracted configuration 128 by disassociating the first barrier end 120 from the deck support structure 154. The force F₁applied to the barrier 118 via the barrier configuration device 116 causes the barrier to be configured from the extended configuration 126 into the retracted configuration 128 to be disposed within the barrier cavity 104.
Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a second embodiment of a configurable isolation device 200 is shown and includes a device structure 202 defining a barrier cavity 204 for containing at least one barrier device 206 and a device cavity 208 for containing at least one barrier support 210, wherein the barrier support 210 includes a barrier support base portion 211 and a barrier support interface portion 213. The device cavity 208 may be sized and shaped to securingly and removably contain the barrier support 210. The device structure 202 includes a device top portion 212, a device bottom portion 214 and at least one device side portion 216, wherein the at least one device side portion 216 defines a barrier opening 218 communicated with the barrier cavity 204.
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the barrier device 206 includes a barrier configuration device 220 and a barrier 222 having a first barrier end 224 and a second barrier end 226, wherein the first barrier end 224 includes a barrier connection device 223 and a barrier interface device 228 and wherein the second barrier end 226 is securely associated with the barrier configuration device 220. The barrier configuration device 220 is movably associated with the barrier device 206 such that the barrier configuration device 220 resiliently rotates about an axis a. This allows the barrier 222 to be springingly configured between an extended configuration 230 and a retracted configuration 232. As such, when the barrier 222 is configured into the extended configuration 230, the resilient nature of the barrier configuration device 220 causes a force F₁to be applied to the barrier 222 in the direction of the barrier configuration device 220 to cause the barrier 222 to be configured into the retracted configuration 232.
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, to configure the barrier 222 from the retracted configuration 232 into the extended configuration 230, a force F₂directed away from the barrier configuration device 220 is applied to the barrier interface device 228 to cause the barrier configuration device 220 to resiliently rotate about the axis a and to cause at least a portion of the barrier 222 to be disposed external to the barrier cavity 204. The barrier interface device 228 may then be securingly associated with a positionably stable structure via the barrier connection device 223 such that the barrier 222 remains in the extended configuration 230. To configure the barrier from the extended configuration 230 into the retracted configuration 232, the barrier interface device 228 is disassociated from the positionably stable structure and the force F₁applied to the barrier 222 by the barrier configuration device 220 causes the barrier 222 to be at least partially disposed within the barrier cavity 204 and become wrappingly associated with the barrier configuration device 220.
Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, one way to implement the self-retracting isolation device 200 is to cordon off a predetermined area 234 by removing the barrier supports 210 and positioning these barrier supports 210 to form an outline of a desired area to enclose. A force F₂is applied to the barrier interface device 228 to cause the barrier 222 to be configured from the retracted configuration 232 into the extended configuration 230. As the barrier 222 is being configured from the retracted configuration 232 into the extended configuration 230, the barrier 222 is disposed to be adjacent each of the barrier supports 210 to form the partially enclosed area 234 and to obstruct or limited the visual exposure of this area. When the barrier 222 is configured into the extended configuration 230, the first barrier end 224 is securingly associated with a barrier support 210 via a barrier connection device 217 to maintain the barrier 222 in the extended configuration 230. The barrier 222 may be configured back into the retracted configuration 232 by disassociating the first barrier end 224 from the barrier support 210. The force F₁applied to the barrier 222 via the barrier configuration device 220 causes the barrier 222 to be configured from the extended configuration 230 into the retracted configuration 232 to be disposed within the barrier cavity 204. The barrier supports 210 may then be re-associated with the device structure 202 to be disposed in the device cavity 208.
Referring to FIG. 17, it should be appreciated that the self-retracting isolation device 100, 200 may be associated with other self-retracting isolation devices 100, 200 to form an isolation wall having a greater height than can be achieved with one self-retracting isolation device 100, 200. Referring to FIG. 18, it should also be appreciated that the device structure 102, 202 of the self-retracting isolation device 100, 200 may also be configured to be associated with a covering device 236 to provide protection from the environmental elements, such as rain and sun. Referring to FIG. 19, a third embodiment of a configurable isolation device 300 is shown and includes a device structure 302 defining a barrier cavity 304 for containing a plurality of barrier devices 306 and a device cavity 308 for containing at least one barrier support 310. Referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, a fourth embodiment of a configurable isolation device 400 is shown and includes a device structure 402 defining a barrier cavity 404 for containing at least one barrier device 406 and having at least one barrier support retention device 408 for retaining at least one barrier support 410
It should be appreciated that the barrier 118, 222 may be comprised of any material suitable to the desired end purpose, such as mesh, plastic, screen, cloth, rubber, or any composite thereof. It should also be appreciated that the self retracting isolation device 100, 200 may be associated with any surface, vertically or horizontally, it is deemed to be needed, such as the ground floor, rail, ledge, wall, house and stairs of any outdoor construction. Furthermore, the barrier 118, 222 may be contained within the device structure 102, 202 via any means suitable to the desired end purpose, including but not limited to wrapping the barrier 118, 222, folding the barrier 118, 222 and telescoping the barrier 118, 222. Furthermore, although the barrier connection device 117, 217 is shown herein as being a Velcro type of connection device, the barrier connection device 117, 217 may be any type of barrier connection device 117, 217 suitable to the desired end purpose, such as hooks, clips, magnetic connectors and friction connectors. Moreover, it is contemplated that the device structure 102, 202 and/or barrier 118, 222 may also include a wall mount bracket for mounting the device 102, 202 and/or barrier 118, 222 on a wall. Additionally, the device structure 102, 202 and/or barrier 118, 222 may also be size adjustable to accommodate different uses, such as a countertop and/or table top barrier.
It should be further appreciated that the barrier 118, 222 may be constructed from a material having a predetermined design for aesthetic purposes and/or a material that blocks the view from only one side of the barrier 118, 222. Also, it is further contemplated that the barrier device 106, 206 and/or the barrier 118, 222 may be removably associated with the device structure 102, 202 to allow the barrier 118, 222 and/or the barrier device 106, 206 to be removed and/or replaced from the barrier structure 102, 202.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or substance to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is important that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the apportioned claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

1. A configurable isolation device, comprising:

a device structure, said device structure defining a barrier cavity and including a barrier cavity opening communicated with said barrier cavity;

a barrier configurable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, wherein said barrier includes a first barrier end and a second barrier end, said first barrier end being associated with said barrier cavity opening such that said first barrier end is at least partially disposed external to said barrier cavity; and

a barrier configuration device non-movably associated with said second barrier end, wherein said barrier configuration device is movably associated with said device structure to configure said barrier between said retracted configuration and said extended configuration.

2. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, wherein said barrier configuration device is a resilient device, wherein when said barrier is disposed within said extended configuration, said barrier configuration device exerts a force on said barrier toward said barrier configuration device such that the configurable isolation device is at least partially self-retractable.

3. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, wherein said barrier configuration device is at least one of automatically and manually configurable to configure said barrier between said retracted configuration and said extended configuration.

4. A configurable isolation device according to claim 3, wherein said barrier configuration device is at least one of automatically and manually via at least one of spring actuation, mechanical actuation and electrical actuation.

5. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, wherein said barrier is constructed from at least one of mesh, plastic, screen, cloth, rubber, a composite material and any composition thereof.

6. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, further comprising a barrier connection device for connecting said barrier to a barrier support to maintain said barrier in said extended configuration.

7. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one barrier support to maintain said barrier in said extended configuration.

8. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said barrier configuration device and said barrier is removably associated with said barrier cavity.

9. A configurable isolation device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one barrier support and wherein said device structure further defines at least one device cavity for removably containing said at least one barrier support.

10. A configurable isolation device, comprising:

a barrier, said barrier having a first barrier end and a second barrier end, wherein said first barrier end includes a barrier connection device for connecting said first barrier end to a structure; and

a barrier configuration device, wherein said barrier configuration device is non-movably associated with said second barrier end and wherein said barrier configuration device is rotatable about an axis a to configure said barrier between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

11. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, wherein said barrier configuration device is a resilient device, wherein when said barrier is disposed within said extended configuration, said barrier configuration device exerts a force on said barrier toward said barrier configuration device such that the configurable isolation device is at least partially self-retractable.

12. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, wherein said barrier configuration device is at least one of automatically and manually configurable to configure said barrier between said retracted configuration and said extended configuration.

13. A configurable isolation device according to claim 12, wherein said barrier configuration device is at least one of automatically and manually via at least one of spring actuation, mechanical actuation and electrical actuation.

14. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, wherein said barrier is constructed from at least one of mesh, plastic, screen, cloth, rubber, a composite material and any composition thereof.

15. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, further comprising a barrier connection device for connecting said barrier to a barrier support to maintain said barrier in said extended configuration.

16. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, further comprising at least one of a covering device and at least one barrier support.

17. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said barrier configuration device and said barrier is removably associated with the configurable isolation device.

18. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, further comprising a device structure, wherein said device structure includes a side portion, said side portion defining at least one of at least one barrier cavity for containing at least one of said barrier and at least one device cavity for removably containing at least one barrier support.

19. A configurable isolation device according to claim 10, further comprising a device structure, wherein said device structure includes a side portion and at least one barrier support retention device for removably holding at least one barrier support.

20. A configurable isolation device, comprising:

a barrier configuration device non-movably associated with said second barrier end, wherein said barrier configuration device is movably associated with said device structure to configure said barrier between said retracted configuration and said extended configuration, wherein at least one of said device structure and said barrier is size adjustable.