Restraint chain storage

Abstract

A temporary barrier chain for a loading dock door opening includes a vertical orientated storage tube on one side of the opening and a retainer on the other side thereof, and a counterweighted chain extending from inside the storage tube to a retainer on the other side of the opening, with the chain being comprised, at least partially, of successively lighter weight sections toward the retainer end such that the combined weight of the counterweight and suspended chain within the storage tube will cause the chain to be automatically retrieved into the storage tube when released from the retainer.

1 . A restraint barrier apparatus comprising:
 a chain having sufficient length and strength to be selectively either extended across an opening and temporarily attached at its one end to one side of the opening so as to provide a barrier across the opening, or retracted to the other side of the opening;   a storage tube disposed on the other side of the opening, said tube having an orifice near a top end for said chain to extend therethrough, said tube being substantially and entirely above a floor level and being of sufficient height and width to contain the entire length of said chain;   a counterweight attached to the other end of said chain, said counterweight being disposed within said storage tube at an elevated position when said chain is extended and adapted to fall by gravity to the bottom of said trunk when said chain is to be retracted;   wherein, said chain is at least partially composed of a plurality of sections of decreasing weight toward said chain one end such that, as said chain is automatically retracted into said trunk by the combined weight of the counterweight and the chain, the weight of the chain portion extending from the orifice to a pile of chain at the bottom of the trunk exceeds the weight of the unretracted chain extending outside of the orifice.   
   
   
       2 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said chain is comprised of a steel material. 
   
   
       3 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the height of said storage trunk orifice is about 51 inches above the floor. 
   
   
       4 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the length of said chain is about 10 feet long and comprises 5 sections. 
   
   
       5 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  and including an aluminum clip at said chain one end. 
   
   
       6 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  and including a restraint member near a top end of said trunk to prevent said counterweight from being withdrawn from said truck after being installed therein. 
   
   
       7 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said storage tube is cylindrical in form. 
   
   
       8 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  and including an elbow near said storage tube top end. 
   
   
       9 . A restraint barrier apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  and including a bell shaped portion at said orifice with said bell shaped portion being of increased diameter as it extends away from said storage tube. 
   
   
       10 . A temporary barrier for a loading dock door opening, comprising:
 a storage tube disposed on one side of the door opening and extending upwardly from the floor to an upper opening so as to provide an internal space for storage;   a barrier chain being of a length to extend across said opening when secured at its ends to either side of the opening;   a counterweight attached to one end of said chain and being vertically moveable within said storage tube; and   an attachment member on the other end of said chain for attachment to a retainer on the other side of the door opening; wherein said chain is of a length and weight and at least partially comprised of successively lighter weight sections as it extends away from said counterweight, such that when said attachment member is disconnected from said retainer, the force of gravity acts on the counterweight and chain within said storage tube to automatically cause the entire chain to be retrieved into said storage tube.   
   
   
       11 . A temporary barrier as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said storage tube is cylindrical in form. 
   
   
       12 . A temporary barrier as set forth in  claim 10  and including an elbow near said storage tube upper opening. 
   
   
       13 . A temporary barrier as set forth in  claim 10  and including a bell shaped portion at said upper opening, said bell shaped portion being of increased diameter as it extends away from said storage tube. 
   
   
       14 . A temporary barrier as set forth in  10  and including a restraint member in said storage tube at a point near said upper opening so as to retain said counterweight within said storage tube. 
   
   
       15 . A temporary barrier as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said storage tube is about 51 inches in length.