BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to safety signs and access control barriers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to safety signs capable of use as access control barriers and pertains to access control barriers capable of use as safety signs.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     It is often desirable to alert pedestrians to conditions caused by floor maintenance. For instance, while a waxed floor is drying people that tread on the floor will mar the uniform coating if they do not detour around the treated area. Custodians will typically place a self-standing sign on the floor with an appropriate message for passers-by alerting them to the need to stay off of the wet floor. Signs in common use include messages such as “Wet Floor,” “Detour,” and “Area Closed For Cleaning.” 
         [0005]     Use of safety signs, though, is not limited to janitorial situations. Construction activities frequently make it desirable to post a sign alerting traffic to conditions caused by the construction (e.g. a detour). Likewise, law enforcement and other emergency respondents frequently need to cordon off areas for temporary access control. Moreover, entertainment events (or any gathering where large numbers of attendees may be unfamiliar with their surroundings) often create the need to provide pedestrians and other traffic with messages directing them to their destination. All of these applications, and others, call for the use of self-standing signs and barriers to direct individuals to, or away from, particular areas.  
         [0006]     One type of sign that is particularly well suited to conveying messages to those passing by is known as a “cone-shaped” sign. Cone-shaped signs usually include four nearly vertical surfaces for displaying messages. The surfaces are inclined slightly so that those viewing the sign from above (e.g. pedestrians standing near or over the sign) can still view the messages displayed thereon. The inclined surfaces angle inwardly toward one another as they extend upwardly and form a square “cone” that is stable enough to stand on its own. Thus, sign users have found that these “cone-shaped” signs are convenient message display devices. However, the cone-shaped signs do not present a barrier to traffic. Because the signs occupy only a small space, people can move freely around the sign without regard for the messages displayed thereon.  
         [0007]     As a result, a person wishing to control access to an area generally must erect a barrier to supplement the sign. While barriers are available which expand from a compact storage configuration to a width suitable for use as a barrier, the bases of these barriers are often too small to maintain the barrier in a stable, upright configuration when the barriers are in their compact storage configuration. Because these barriers are designed to minimize the required storage space for the barrier, the barriers contract into flat, relatively thin configurations for storage. Accordingly, even if these barriers could stand upright on their own when contracted for storage, the compact designs of the barriers present a minimized set of surfaces for displaying messages.  
         [0008]     In an attempt to overcome these problems some barriers have provisions to hang a separate sign on the barrier. However, these signs can be become separated from the barrier thereby necessitating additional time and labor to find and place the sign on the barrier. Taking into account these problems these barriers are therefore poorly suited for displaying messages.  
         [0009]     Thus, a need exists for a device that will allow a user to either display messages, control access to an area, or both with one device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. The invention provides signs that can expand to create barriers, and barriers that can contract to form signs.  
         [0011]     In a first preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an expandable barrier that includes an expandable fence member, a support, and a message display surface. The fence member has a length between its proximal and distal ends, and the fence member length expands and contracts. The support includes two portions of the support that are each connected to opposite ends of the fence member. The support portions are adapted to maintain the barrier in an upright, stable orientation when the fence member is in its contracted position. With regard to the orientation of the display surface, select display surfaces may be parallel to the expandable fence member. Other display surfaces can be perpendicular to the fence member while other display surfaces can form an acute angle with respect to the expandable fence member. Further, the display surface may be bi-furcated with a first portion of the display surface being on the first portion of the support and a second portion of the display surface being on the second portion of the support. For applications where the barrier may also be used as a sign, the first and the second portions of the support may form a cone-shaped sign when the expandable fence member is in its contracted position. In another embodiment that is particularly well suited for use as a sign, the barrier may include four display surfaces that form a cone-shaped sign when the fence member is in its contracted position.  
         [0012]     A second preferred embodiment provides a sign including a display surface and an expandable fence member. The display surface is either parallel to, or at an acute angle relative to, the expandable fence member. A support may also be included that has a first portion and a second portion. Each of the support portions may include a portion of the display surface and each support portion connects to an end of the expandable fence member. Even in applications in which the support is divided into portions, the support maintains the fence in a stable, upright position when the expandable fence member is in its contracted position. Furthermore, the support can form a cone-shaped sign when the expandable fence member is in its contracted position. The sign may also include a second display surface that is perpendicular to the expandable fence member.  
         [0013]     In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling access to an area. The method includes contracting an expandable fence member, displaying a message on a display surface that is coupled to the fence member, and maintaining the fence member in a stable, upright orientation. To maintain the stable, upright orientation of the barrier, a first portion and a second portion of a support are used. The first portion of the support is connected to the expandable fence member at the proximal end and the second portion of the support is connected at the distal end. While the expandable fence member is being contracted, a cone-shaped sign may be formed from the first and the second portions of the support.  
         [0014]     In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of displaying a message. The method of this embodiment includes contracting an expandable fence member and displaying a message on a display surface coupled to the expandable fence member. The display surface is parallel to (or at an acute angle relative to) the expandable fence member. Where four display surfaces are coupled to the expandable fence member to display messages, the four display surfaces may be formed into a cone-shaped sign during the contraction of the expandable fence member.  
         [0015]     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cone-shaped sign constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates an access barrier constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cone-shaped sign in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates an access barrier in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate a cone-shaped sign constructed in accordance with the principals of the present invention. Generally,  FIG. 1  shows the sign  10  in a closed position while  FIG. 2  shows the sign  10  in an open position in which the sign  10  creates a barrier.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  also shows that the sign  10  includes a first sign portion  12 , a second sign portion  14 , an expandable fence  16 , an interior volume  18 , and display surfaces  20 A,  20 B and  22 . The portions  12  and  14  (e.g. halves) of the sign  10  are shown in  FIG. 1  as abutting each other (to form the cone-shaped sign  10 ) and being held together by a latch  24  or other retaining device. The halves  12  and  14  of the sign  10  connect to the opposite ends  26  and  28  of the expandable fence  16 . Thus, when the expandable fence  16  is in its fully expanded position the halves  12  and  14  of the sign  10  are spaced apart by the fully expanded width (w 1 ) of the fence  16 . When the expandable fence  16  is in its fully contracted position ( FIG. 1 ), the halves  12  and  14  contain the expandable fence  16  in the internal volume  18 . The expandable fence  16  shown is a folding lattice type fence, although any type of expandable fence  16  will work well according to the principles of the present invention. Other illustrative types of fences  16  include, but are not limited to, a telescoping fence, a roll-up fence, a scissors mechanism fence, an accordion fold (i.e. z-fold) fence, a cloth belt fence (such as those used to control crowds in theaters), and other equivalent fences. Thus, the sign  10  may be employed to display messages on the display surfaces  20 A,  20 B and  22  and/or may be used as an access control barrier as desired by the user. While the current embodiment includes portions  12  and  14  that form a cone shaped sign, when the expandable fence  16  is in its contracted position, the present invention also provides signs of other shapes. For instance, another preferred embodiment includes a sign with two portions that form a square base member supporting an inverted cone (with the wide end up) when the expandable fence is in its contracted position.  
         [0023]     With reference again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the expandable fence member  16  is in its contracted position, the sign  10  (i.e. the sign portions  12  and  14 ) can be said to be in a closed position. In contrast, when the expandable fence member  16  is in its expanded position, the sign  10  can be referred to as being “open.” Of course, the expandable fence  16  can be positioned anywhere between its fully contracted and its fully expanded position with the sign  10  being in a corresponding intermediate position. When closed, the primary use of the sign  10  is for displaying messages on the surfaces  20  and  22  in a manner similar to the way that messages are conveyed with conventional cone-shaped signs. If the sign  10  is partially (or completely) open it can be used to display messages and as an access control barrier too. Of course, there is no need per se to display messages on the surface  20  and  22  when using the sign  10  as a barrier. Though, in practice it has been found that displaying messages on the barrier  10  is preferred. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that because the fence member  16  is expandable, the user can adjust the width (w 1 ) of the barrier created by the sign  10 .  
         [0024]     Several features of the exemplary sign  10  facilitate the dual uses of the sign/barrier  10 . For instance, the display surface includes portions  20 A and  20 B on the halves  12  and  14  of the sign  10  respectively. The display surface portions  20 A and  20 B are shown being substantially parallel to, and offset from, the face of the expandable fence  16 . Different messages may be displayed on the surface portions  20 A and  20 B. For example, a right pointing arrow can be displayed on one portion  20 A and a left pointing arrow displayed on the other portion  20 B. Such an exemplary sign  10  can be used as a barrier to direct traffic around an obstacle that lies in the middle of a traffic area (e.g. an open manhole in a street or sidewalk). In the alternative, the same message can be displayed on the portions  20 A and  20 B as where up pointing arrows direct traffic to proceed into lanes marked by the closed sign  10 . Of course, one message may span both surface portions  20 A and  20 B as with a conventional cone-shaped sign. On the other hand, the display surface could include a member upon which the user can write (or otherwise place) a message on the sign  10  as well as erasing (or removing) the message too. Or the sign  10  could incorporate replaceable display panels so that the user can select the messages to be displayed. Such selectable display panels are describe in the co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/803,839, entitled Multi-Use Floor Sign, filed Mar. 18, 2004 which is incorporated herein as if set forth in full. Of course, the fence member  16  can also be used to display messages.  
         [0025]     The base  21  of each surface portion  20 A and  20 B is preferably large enough that the weight of the fence  16  (when fully expanded) cannot tip the portions  12  and  14  over. Accordingly, for any given application the weight (or type) of the fence  16  and the width w 2  of the surface portion  20 A may be chosen so as to cooperate to create a stable sign  10 . In other words, the width (w 2 ) is chosen to counteract the moment created by the weight of the fence  16  acting on the portion  12 , thereby maintaining the sign  10  in a stable, upright orientation. As a result, the portions  12  and  14  of the sign  10  act as a stand of the barrier created by the expandable fence member  16 . Of course, it is possible to include additional stabilizing means (such as suction cups) to the bottom of one, or more, of the portions  12  and  14  to provide additional stability for the sign  10 .  
         [0026]     In the alternative, the expandable fence  16  can be of a relatively rigid construction with rigid connections between the portions  12  and  14  and the expandable fence member  16 . Thus, the width (w 2 ) of the surface portion  20 A can be reduced without regarding to tipping (when the sign  10  is open) because the rigid construction makes the stability of a single portion  12  or  14  moot. However, large widths (w 2 ) of the surface portions  20 A or  20 B are preferred because wide surface portions  20 A and  20 B allow a larger message to be displayed on the portions  20 A or  20 B when the sign  10  is open. Plus, one pair of sign halves  12  and  14  can be connected to any type of expandable fence  16  without the weight of the fence  16  causing either sign portion  12  or  14  to tip over if the width (w 2 ) is chosen to accommodate the heaviest expandable fence member  16  that is to be connected to the sign portions  12  and  14  (regardless of whether the fence member is in its expanded, contracted, or some intermediate position).  
         [0027]     Similarly, the width (w 3 ) of surface  22  may be chosen to prevent environmental disturbances (e.g. wind gusts or incidental collisions) from tipping the sign  10  over while allowing sufficient area to display appropriate messages. In a preferred embodiment, the widths (w 2 ) and (w 3 ) are about the same. In another preferred embodiment, the width (w 3 ) is twice the width (w 2 ) so that a closed sign  10  appears to be a conventional cone-shape sign. As to the height of the sign  10 , the sign  10  is preferably about knee or hip high on the average person for signs  10  used to display messages to pedestrian traffic. If the targeted traffic is vehicular, then signs  10  that are at least about shoulder high are preferred. Display surfaces  20 A,  20 B and  22  with a wide variety of aspect ratios (i.e. the height divided by the width) are therefore provided by the present invention  
         [0028]     The orientation of the display surfaces  20 A,  20 B and  22  relative to the expandable fence member  16  also facilitates the dual use capability of the sign/barrier  10 . As shown by  FIG. 2 , the display surface  22  can be perpendicular to the fence member  16 , although it can also be positioned at an acute angle with respect to the fence member  16 . Perpendicular display surfaces  22  are preferred over angled display surfaces  22  so that traffic approaching the sign  10  from the side can view the messages displayed thereon. It is also preferred for the display surface  20 A and  20 B to be offset from the expandable fence member  16  by at least a portion of the width (w 3 ) (of the display surface  22 ) so that traffic may view the display surface  20 A and  20 B even when the sign  10  is closed. More particularly, it is preferred for the display surface  20 A and  20 B and the expandable fence member  16  to be offset by about one half of the width (w 3 ).  
         [0029]     In other preferred embodiments, the surface portions  20 A and  20 B are canted at an acute angle relative to the expandable fence  16 . For instance,  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the cone-shaped sign  10  having a triangular cross section (when viewed from the top) with the portion  12  including an apex  30  of the cross section and the portion  14  containing the corresponding base  32  of the cross section. For the triangular sign  10 , it is preferred that the fence  16  contract into the interior volume  18  in the base portion  14  where more space is available for storing the fence  18 . Thus, the portion  14  can act as a storage volume for the expandable fence  16  with the portion  12  acting as a cover for the storage volume. In another preferred embodiment, the fence member is connected to one portion  12  and connectable to the other portion  14  such that the connected portion  12  (with the expandable fence member  16 ) and the connectable portion  14  can each be pre-positioned independently of the other. When a desire arises to use the sign  10  as a barrier, the expandable fence member  16  can be expanded and connected to the connectable portion  14 .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 and 4  also illustrate the flexibility of the signs provided by the present invention in that the two portions  12  and  14  need not have the same cross sections, or even symmetrical cross sections. Signs  10  having other cross sections are also provided by the present invention. One such exemplary sign has a circular cross section with a surface that can, of course, display messages in any direction relative to the expandable fence member  16 . Other exemplary cross sections include hexagonal, octagonal, and even irregular cross sections.  
         [0031]     With reference to  FIG. 5 , another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Like the previous embodiments, the safety sign/barrier  38  of the present invention includes a first and a second portion,  12  and  14  respectively, of the support and an expandable fence member  16 . In addition, the sign  38  includes a banner or additional display  40  that includes a display surface  42  and an aperture  44 . The display surface  42  is, of course, for displaying messages and may be one side of a two-sided banner  40  (i.e. the display). The aperture  44  allows the display  40  to be draped over, slipped over, or otherwise attached to the expandable fence member  16  thereby increasing the number of display surfaces on the sign  38 . While, an exemplary display  40  has been described as a banner, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Rather, many other types of displays (e.g. rigid displays) are included in the scope of the present invention.  
         [0032]     In addition to illustrating the removable display  40 ,  FIG. 5  also illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes stabilizers  46  (e.g. feet). The stabilizers  46  may aid in stabilizing the sign  38 . Additionally, the sign  38  may include weights that attach to the bottom of one, or more support portions  12  and  14  to provide additional stability to the sign  38 .  
         [0033]     Further, either support portion  12  or  14  (or both) can provide connectors so that the expandable fence member  16  can be detached from the support(s). Thus, the sign  38  may be used, transported, or stored without the expandable fence member  16  and vice versa. Further, the fence member  16  can include connectors at one, or both, of its ends so that the fence member can be connected to support structures other than the support portions  12  and  14 .  
         [0034]     In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained. Generally, cone-shaped signs have been disclosed that can serve as barriers. As well, barriers that can serve as cone-shaped signs have been disclosed. Thus, time and effort will be saved as a result of having to obtain only the sign/barrier of the current invention when it becomes desirable to display a message and/or control access to an area. Further, barriers with increased display message areas have been provided. Also, barriers that stand on their own, even when in a contracted position have been provided.  
         [0035]     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.  
         [0036]     As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, handles could be included on the signs of the present invention to facilitate carrying the sign and expanding and contracting the expandable fence. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
A safety sign/barrier functions as a safety sign and as an access control barrier. The sign/barrier has an expandable fence member, a support, and a message display surface. The fence member has a variable length between its proximal and distal ends and expands and contracts along the length. The support includes two portions each of which are connected to an end of the fence member. The support is adapted to maintain the barrier in an upright, stable orientation when the fence member is contracted. Another embodiment provides a sign including a display surface and an expandable fence member. The display surface is either parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the expandable fence member. Methods of controlling access with a sign including an expandable fence and displaying messages on an access control barrier are also provided.