Modular temorary barrier system

Abstract

A modular temporary barrier system includes a plurality of panel members having adjoining edges. Each panel member comprises a foam core and exterior sheathing disposed thereon. Connecting structure associated with the panels is constructed and arranged to removably connect adjoining edges of adjacent panel members to one another. Each panel member includes joint structure forming an aperture extending vertically between an upper periphery of each panel member and a lower periphery of each panel member that is configured to receive the connecting structure.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A modular temporary barrier system, comprising: 
 a plurality of panel members, said panel members having adjoining edges, each panel member comprising a foam core and exterior sheathing disposed on opposite sides thereof; and    connecting structure associated with said panel members and constructed and arranged to removably connect said adjoining edges of adjacent panel members to one another by friction fit to form a wall,    each panel member including joint structure extending along the adjoining edges of each panel member and being configured to removably receive the connecting structure.    
     
     
         2 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 two side panel members, each side panel member being constructed and arranged to be connected to a respective end of the wall, such that the wall is self-supporting.    
     
     
         3 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure comprises: 
 a plurality of pegs, each peg being constructed and arranged to be at least partially inserted into apertures formed by the joint structure to removably connect adjacent panel members to one another, wherein the apertures extend vertically through a portion of each panel member from an upper periphery of the panel member to the lower periphery thereof.    
     
     
         4 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure is integral with one adjoining edge of one panel member and is configured to removably connect to an adjoining edge of an adjacent panel member.  
     
     
         5 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , wherein the joint structure comprises a first U-shaped portion configured to receive said connecting structure and having an open portion facing outward when said panel member is disposed vertically and a second U-shaped portion being configured to receive said connecting structure and having an open portion facing outward when said panel member is disposed vertically.  
     
     
         6 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 5 , wherein one of the first and second U-shaped portions at least partially defines an aperture, and wherein connecting structure associated with a panel is at least partially inserted into an aperture of an adjacent panel member to removably connect to said adjacent panel member by friction interference fit.  
     
     
         7 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the panel members further comprises a foam core panel component.  
     
     
         8 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the panel members further comprises: 
 a top U-shaped portion having an open portion facing upward when said panel member is disposed vertically; and    a bottom U-shaped portion having an open portion facing downward when said panel member is disposed vertically, and    the barrier system further comprises a vertical connecting member constructed and arranged to removably connect a top U-shaped portion of a first panel member to a bottom U-shaped portion of a second panel member such that the first and second panel members are joined vertically to provide an extended height.    
     
     
         9 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a bottom U-shaped portion having an open portion facing downward when said panel member is disposed vertically; and    a U-shaped base member, having an open portion facing upward such that said bottom U-shaped portion may be removably connected to the base member.    
     
     
         10 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a top U-shaped portion having an open portion facing upward when said panel member is disposed vertically; and    a protective cap disposed covering the top U-shaped portion.    
     
     
         11 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 1 , further comprising two one-piece corner members, each corner member comprising an integrally formed, corner shaped foam core and exterior sheathing disposed on opposite sides thereof, each corner member being constructed and arranged to be removably connected to a respective end of the wall.  
     
     
         12 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 11 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a plurality of connecting members.  
     
     
         13 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 11 , further comprising two side panel members, each side panel member being constructed and arranged to be connected to a respective end of the wall, such that the wall is self-supporting.  
     
     
         14 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 13 , wherein each corner member is constructed and arranged to connect a respective end of the wall to a respective side panel member.  
     
     
         15 . A modular temporary barrier system as in  claim 11 , wherein the foam core comprises polystyrene and the exterior sheathing comprises a wood laminate material.  
     
     
         16 . A method of using a barrier system in a construction area using a plurality of panel members having adjoining edges, each panel member comprising a foam core and exterior sheathing disposed thereon, each of the panels including a first U-shaped portion and a second U-shaped portion, each of which being configured to receive connecting structure and having an open portion facing outward when the panel member is disposed vertically and connecting structure associated with the panels and the first and second U-shaped portions and being constructed and arranged to removably connect adjoining edges of adjacent panel members to one another, comprising, in order: 
 assembling the panel members by connecting said adjoining edges with said connecting structure to create a wall at least partially blocking a view of the construction area from trafficked areas thereof;    disassembling the panel members by separating said adjoining edges at said connecting structure;    reassembling the panel members at a second construction area by connecting said adjoining edges with the same connecting structure employed in said assembling, at least partially blocking a view of the second construction area from trafficked areas thereof.    
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the first and second construction areas are in an indoor shopping center and the trafficked areas thereof are trafficked by customers of the shopping center.  
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the disassembled panel members are stored at a location local to the shopping center prior to reassembling.  
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the disassembling comprises storing the connecting structure within one or more panel members.  
     
     
         20 . A modular temporary barrier system, comprising: 
 a plurality of panel members, said panel members having adjoining edges, each panel member comprising a foam core and exterior sheathing disposed on opposite sides thereof; and    connecting structure associated with said panels and constructed and arranged to removably connect said adjoining edges of adjacent panel members to one another,    each panel member having an aperture formed therein that extends along the adjoining edges of the panel member.    
     
     
         21 . A modular temporary barrier system as in claim  20 , wherein the connecting structure comprises: 
 a plurality of pegs, each peg being constructed and arranged to be at least partially inserted into the apertures to removably connect adjacent panel members to one another, wherein each peg has a length that is substantially the same size as a distance extending between an upper periphery of each panel member and a lower periphery of each panel member.