Post-mounted Retractable Ribbon Barrier

Abstract

A stanchion array includes stanchions having heads that store retractable belts. Some heads feature friction pads to resist circumferential movement during use. Others feature a bearing to reduce energy lost during the retraction process. In some cases, a stanchion has two sleeves that couple together. Such a stanchion accommodates two heads and thus permits deployment of two strap layers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising a head comprising a retractable strap stored therein, said head comprising a cap and a base, wherein said base comprises a friction pad disposed on a surface thereof, said friction pad providing friction between said base and an inner surface of said stanchion when said base is inserted into a stanchion, and wherein said friction pad causes resistance of movement of said head relative to said stanchion. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises a recess that sized and shaped to conform to said friction pad and wherein said friction pad is seated within said recess. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said friction pad has a quadrilateral shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said friction pad is detachably removable from said base. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said friction pad comprises rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said friction pad has a circular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said friction pad has a corrugated surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head includes a spring pin and the stanchion includes an opening configured to receive a part of the spring pin, securing the head to the stanchion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising a head that encloses a retraction mechanism for retracting a strap that transitions between an extended state, in which said strap is outside said head, and a retracted state, in which said strap is inside said head, a base disposed at a distal end of said head, said base comprising a central recess, wherein said retraction mechanism comprises a spindle that extends along an axis of said housing and into said base and a bearing coupled to a distal end of said spindle such that said central recess receives said distal end of said spindly and said bearing, wherein said spindle and said bearing rotate relative to said central recess to cause said strap, an end of which is coupled to said spindle, to transition between said extended state and said retracted state. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said bearing is an annular bearing that comprises a central hole and wherein said spindle engages said bearing through said hole. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein friction between said bearing and said base is defined by a first friction coefficient, wherein friction between said spindle and said base is defined by a second friction coefficient, and wherein said first friction coefficient is less than said second friction coefficient. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said retraction mechanism comprises a strap chamber in which said strap is stored when said strap is in a retracted state and a spring chamber that encloses a spring coupled to said strap chamber for causing said strap chamber to rotate, wherein said strap chamber, said spindle, and said bearing rotate together, and wherein said spindle extends from said strap chamber and through said spring chamber. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising a stanchion comprising a base and a pole that extends vertically upward from said base and heads for storing corresponding first and second extendable straps, said heads being at different distances from said base along said pole, wherein said pole comprises first and second sleeves that couple together to form said pole, wherein said first and second sleeves each comprise interior coupling members that engage each other. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said interior coupling members comprise a male connector and a female connector that engages said male connector. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said interior coupling members comprise a male connector and a female connector that engages said male connector. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said interior coupling members are coaxial. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said first head is disposed at a junction between said first and second sleeves and wherein said second head is disposed at a top end of said second sleeve.