Retractable barrier system

Abstract

A retractable barrier system comprises a support member, for example in the form of a housing ( 10 ), a spool ( 14 ) supported for rotation by the support member, a spring ( 34 ) adapted to apply a biassing load to the spool ( 14 ), and a skirt ( 30 ) arranged to deflect water away from or around the spring ( 34 ) thereby reducing the quantity of water impinging, in use, on the spring ( 34 ) and reducing corrosion thereof.

1 . A retractable barrier system comprising a support member, a spool supported for rotation by the support member, a spring arranged to provide a biassing load to the spool, and a skirt arranged to deflect water which would otherwise impinge on the spring.  
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein, in use, the spring is located beneath the spool.  
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the skirt is carried by the spool.  
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the spool and the skirt are integral with one another.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover forming, with the skirt, a closed compartment within which the spring is housed.  
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cover is secured to the skirt by at least one of a snap-fit coupling, an adhesive, and a screw-threaded coupling.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed spindle supported by the support member and upon which the spool is mounted for rotation.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the spring includes an end part anchored to the spindle or the support member and a second end part arranged to drive the spool.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the spring is provided with a water-resistant or corrosion-resistant coating.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein the coating comprises a PTFE layer.  
   
   
       11 . A retractable barrier system comprising a support member, a spool supported for rotation by the support member, and a spring arranged to apply a biassing load to the spool, wherein at least a portion of the spring is provided with a corrosion-resistant or water-resistant coating.