Systems and Methods for Attaching Barrier Sheet Material to Extensible Pole Assemblies

Abstract

A system for connecting sheet material to a pole extending between a first surface and a second surface comprises a foot member a foot member comprising a first attraction member and a second attraction member. The foot member is detachably attached to a first end of the pole. A second end of the pole is in contact with the first surface. The first and second attraction members are magnetically attracted to each other such that a first portion of the sheet material is detachably attached to the foot member. The foot member engages the second surface to hold the sheet material in a desired configuration relative to the first surface and the second surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for connecting sheet material to a pole extending between a first surface and a second surface, comprising:
 a foot member comprising a first attraction member;   a second attraction member; whereby   the foot member is detachably attached to a first end of the pole;   a second end of the pole is in contact with the first surface;   the first and second attraction members are magnetically attracted to each other such that a first portion of the sheet material is detachably attached to the foot member; and   the foot member engages the second surface to hold the sheet material in a desired configuration relative to the first surface and the second surface.   
     
     
         2 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the foot member comprises:
 a body portion;   a flange portion adapted to engage the second surface; and   at least one arm portion extending between the body portion and the flange portion; whereby   the flange portion of the foot member engages the second surface through a second portion of the sheet material; and   the at least one arm portion deforms when the flange portion applies pressure to the second surface through the second portion of the sheet material.   
     
     
         3 . A system as recited in  claim 2 , in which the foot member defines a plurality of arm portions, where at least one of the arm portions deforms when the flange portion applies pressure to the second surface through the first portion of the sheet material. 
     
     
         4 . A system as recited in  claim 2 , in which:
 the flange portion of the foot member defines a flange upper surface;   the body portion of the foot member defines a reference surface; and   deformation of the at least one arm portion allows an angle between the upper surface and the body reference surface to change when the flange portion applies pressure to the second surface through the first portion of the sheet material.   
     
     
         5 . A system as recited in  claim 2 , in which:
 the body portion and the flange portion are separated from each other by a space; and   the at least one arm portion occupies a portion of the space separating the body portion and the flange portion.   
     
     
         6 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first attraction member is magnetically attractable; and   the second attraction member is a magnet.   
     
     
         7 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the foot member portion defines a body upper surface; and   the first attraction member is sized and dimensioned to fit between the body upper surface and the second surface when the foot member engages the second surface.   
     
     
         8 . A system as recited in  claim 2 , in which:
 the flange portion of the foot member defines a flange upper surface;   the body portion of the foot member defines a body upper surface;   the second attraction member is arranged against the body upper surface; and   the body surface is offset from the flange upper surface such that the first attraction member lies substantially between the body upper surface and the second surface when the foot member engages the second surface.   
     
     
         9 . A system as recited in  claim 2 , in which the first portion of the sheet material at least partly surrounds the second portion of the sheet material. 
     
     
         10 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cavity is formed in the foot member;   a ball is mounted on the pole; and   a clip is secured to the pole; whereby   the cavity receives the ball and the clip to detachably attach the body portion of the foot member to the pole.   
     
     
         11 . A method of supporting sheet material in a desired configuration relative to first and second surfaces:
 providing a pole:   providing a foot member;   attaching a first attraction member to the foot member;   detachably attaching the foot member to a first end of the pole;   arranging the pole such that a second end of the pole is in contact with the first surface;   arranging a second attraction member such that magnetic attraction between the first and second attraction members detachably attaches a first portion of the sheet material to the foot member; and   engaging the foot member with the second surface to hold the sheet material in the desired configuration relative to the first and second surfaces.   
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which step of providing the foot member comprises the steps of:
 providing a body portion;   providing a flange portion adapted to engage the second surface; and   extending at least one arm portion between the body portion and the flange portion;   engaging the flange portion of the foot member with the second surface through a second portion of the sheet material such that the at least one arm portion deforms.   
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which:
 the step of providing the foot member comprises the step of providing a plurality of arm portions; and   the step of engaging the flange portion with the second surface comprises the step of deforming at least one of the arm portions.   
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which:
 the flange portion of the foot member defines a flange upper surface;   the body portion of the foot member defines a reference surface; and   deformation of the at least one arm portion allows an angle between the upper surface and the body reference surface to change when the flange portion applies pressure to the second surface through the first portion of the sheet material.   
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which the step of providing the foot member comprises the steps of:
 separating the body portion and the flange portion from each other by a space; and   forming the at least one arm portion such that the at least one arm portion occupies a portion of the space separating the body portion and the flange portion.   
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which:
 the first attraction member is magnetically attractable; and   the second attraction member is a magnet.   
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which:
 the foot member portion defines a body upper surface; and   the first attraction member is sized and dimensioned to fit between the body upper surface and the second surface when the foot member engages the second surface.   
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which:
 the flange portion of the foot member defines a flange upper surface;   the body portion of the foot member defines a body upper surface;   the step of arranging the second attraction member comprises the step of arranging the second attraction member against the body upper surface, where the body surface is offset from the flange upper surface such that the first attraction member lies substantially between the body upper surface and the second surface when the foot member engages the second surface.   
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which the first portion of the sheet material at least partly surrounds the second portion of the sheet material. 
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which:
 the step of providing the foot member comprises the step of forming a cavity in the foot member; and   the step of providing the pole comprises the steps of
 mounting a ball on the pole; and 
 securing a clip is secured to the pole such that the cavity receives the ball and the clip to detachably attach the body portion of the foot member to the pole.