Collapsible guardrails

Abstract

Collapsible guardrails comprise a base, a mid rail, a top rail, a lower left-side leg, an upper left-side leg, a lower right-side leg, and an upper right-side leg. Collapsible guardrails have a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration.

1 . A collapsible guardrail, comprising:
 a base comprising a base left-end region and a base right-end region opposite the base left-end region;   a mid rail positioned above the base, wherein the mid rail comprises a mid-rail left-end region and a mid-rail right-end region opposite the mid-rail left-end region, and wherein the mid-rail left-end region is positioned above the base left-end region and the mid-rail right-end region is positioned above the base right-end region;   a top rail positioned above and parallel to the mid rail, wherein the top rail comprise a top-rail left-end region and a top-rail right-end region opposite the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the top-rail left-end region is positioned above the mid-rail left-end region and the top-rail right-end region is positioned above the mid-rail right-end region;   a lower left-side leg comprising a lower-left-side-leg lower-end region and a lower-left-side-leg upper-end region opposite the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region, wherein the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally coupled to the base left-end region, and wherein the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   an upper left-side leg positioned above the lower left-side leg and comprising an upper-left-side-leg upper-end region and an upper-left-side-leg lower-end region opposite the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region, wherein the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally coupled to the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   a lower right-side leg comprising a lower-right-side-leg lower-end region and a lower-right-side-leg upper-end region opposite the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region, wherein the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally coupled to the base right-end region, and wherein the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail; and   an upper right-side leg positioned above the lower right-side leg and comprising an upper-right-side-leg upper-end region and an upper-right-side-leg lower-end region opposite the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region, wherein the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally coupled to the top-rail right-end region, and wherein the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   wherein the collapsible guardrail has a deployed configuration, in which the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region are adjacent the mid-rail left-end region, and in which the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region are adjacent the mid-rail right-end region; and   wherein the collapsible guardrail has a collapsed configuration, in which the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region are spaced-away from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, and in which the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region are spaced-away from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region;   wherein the mid rail defines:
 a mid-rail lower-left track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail lower-left track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
 a mid-rail upper-left track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail upper-left track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
 a mid-rail lower-right track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail lower-right track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a mid-rail upper-right track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail upper-right track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
   wherein the collapsible guardrail further comprises:
 a left-leg connecting block operatively coupling together the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region; and 
 a right-leg connecting block operatively coupling together the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region; 
   wherein the mid rail defines:
 a mid-rail left-central track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the left-leg connecting block is configured to translate along the mid-rail left-central track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a mid-rail right-central track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the right-leg connecting block is configured to translate along the mid-rail right-central track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
   wherein the left-leg connecting block is operatively engaged with the mid-rail lower-left track, the mid-rail upper-left track, and the mid-rail left-central track in a left-side triangular pattern;   wherein the right-leg connecting block is operatively engaged with the mid-rail lower-right track, the mid-rail upper-right track, and the mid-rail right-central track in a right-side triangular pattern;   wherein when the collapsible guardrail is in the deployed configuration:
 the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is laterally left of the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region; 
 the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is laterally left of the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region; 
 the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is laterally right of the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region; and 
 the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is laterally right of the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region; 
   wherein at least one of the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is biased toward the mid-rail left-end region;   wherein at least one of the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is biased toward the mid-rail right-end region;   wherein the collapsible guardrail further comprises:
 a left-side spring operatively coupled between the base and the lower left-side leg and configured to bias the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, or between the top rail and the upper left-side leg and configured to bias the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region; 
 right-side spring operatively coupled between the base and the lower right-side leg and configured to bias the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, or between the top rail and the upper right-side leg and configured to bias the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region; and 
 one or more motive sources configured to selectively translate the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, and the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region; 
   wherein the one or more motive sources comprise:
 a left-side motive source configured to selectively translate the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region; and 
 a right-side motive source configured to selectively translate the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region; 
   wherein the collapsible guardrail further comprises a controller operatively coupled to the one or more motive sources and configured to operate the one or more motive sources responsive to a user input;   wherein in the deployed configuration, the collapsible guardrail has a height;   wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg and the upper right-side leg has a width;   wherein the width is at least 5% of the height;   wherein the collapsible guardrail further comprises a lattice structure operatively coupled between the base and the top rail and configured to operatively support the top rail relative to the base;   wherein the lattice structure is further operatively coupled to the mid rail and configured to support the mid rail relative to the top rail and the base;   wherein the lattice structure comprises:
 a lower-left lattice member pivotally coupled to the base; 
 an upper-left lattice member pivotally coupled to the lower-left lattice member and pivotally coupled to the top rail; 
 a lower-right lattice member pivotally coupled to the base; and 
 an upper-right lattice member pivotally coupled to the lower-right lattice member and pivotally coupled to the top rail; 
   wherein the lower-left lattice member, the upper-left lattice member, the lower-right lattice member, and the upper-right lattice member define a parallelogram;   wherein the lattice structure further comprises:
 a first angled member comprising a first-angled-member lower-end region and a first-angled-member upper-end region opposite the first-angled-member lower-end region, wherein the first-angled-member lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the base, and wherein the first-angled-member upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the top rail; and 
 a second angled member comprising a second-angled-member lower-end region ( 108 ) and a second-angled-member upper-end region opposite the second-angled-member lower-end region, wherein the second-angled-member lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the base, and wherein the second-angled-member upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the top rail; 
   wherein the base defines:
 a base left-side track extending from the base left-end region toward the base right-end region, wherein the first-angled-member lower-end region is configured to translate along the base left-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a base right-side track extending from the base right-end region toward the base left-end region, wherein the second-angled-member lower-end region is configured to translate along the base right-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
   wherein the top rail defines:
 a top-rail left-side track extending from the top-rail left-end region toward the top-rail right-end region, wherein the second-angled-member upper-end region is configured to translate along the top-rail left-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a top-rail right-side track extending from the top-rail right-end region toward the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the first-angled-member upper-end region is configured to translate along the top-rail right-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
   wherein the first angled member is pivotally coupled to the second angled member;   wherein the first angled member and the second angled member are pivotally coupled to the mid rail;   wherein the first angled member and the second angled member define an X shape;   wherein the first angled member is pivotally coupled to the lower-left lattice member and is pivotally coupled to the upper-right lattice member;   wherein the second angled member is pivotally coupled to the upper-left lattice member and is pivotally coupled to the lower-right lattice member;   wherein the collapsible guardrail further comprise at least one screen operatively coupled between the base and the top rail and configured to restrict access to the mid rail; and   wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg, and the upper right-side leg comprises a C-channel.   
     
     
         2 . A collapsible guardrail, comprising:
 a base comprising a base left-end region and a base right-end region opposite the base left-end region;   a mid rail positioned above the base, wherein the mid rail comprises a mid-rail left-end region and a mid-rail right-end region opposite the mid-rail left-end region, and wherein the mid-rail left-end region is positioned above the base left-end region and the mid-rail right-end region is positioned above the base right-end region;   a top rail positioned above and parallel to the mid rail, wherein the top rail comprise a top-rail left-end region and a top-rail right-end region opposite the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the top-rail left-end region is positioned above the mid-rail left-end region and the top-rail right-end region is positioned above the mid-rail right-end region;   a lower left-side leg comprising a lower-left-side-leg lower-end region and a lower-left-side-leg upper-end region opposite the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region, wherein the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally coupled to the base left-end region, and wherein the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   an upper left-side leg positioned above the lower left-side leg and comprising an upper-left-side-leg upper-end region and an upper-left-side-leg lower-end region opposite the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region, wherein the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally coupled to the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   a lower right-side leg comprising a lower-right-side-leg lower-end region and a lower-right-side-leg upper-end region opposite the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region, wherein the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally coupled to the base right-end region, and wherein the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail; and   an upper right-side leg positioned above the lower right-side leg and comprising an upper-right-side-leg upper-end region and an upper-right-side-leg lower-end region opposite the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region, wherein the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally coupled to the top-rail right-end region, and wherein the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   wherein the collapsible guardrail has a deployed configuration, in which the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region are adjacent the mid-rail left-end region, and in which the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region are adjacent the mid-rail right-end region;   wherein the collapsible guardrail has a collapsed configuration, in which the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region are spaced-away from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, and in which the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region are spaced-away from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region;   wherein in the deployed configuration, the collapsible guardrail has a height;   wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg and the upper right-side leg has a width;   wherein the width is at least 5% of the height;   wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg, and the upper right-side leg comprises a web and at least one flange.   
     
     
         3 . A collapsible guardrail, comprising:
 a base comprising a base left-end region and a base right-end region opposite the base left-end region;   a mid rail positioned above the base, wherein the mid rail comprises a mid-rail left-end region and a mid-rail right-end region opposite the mid-rail left-end region, and wherein the mid-rail left-end region is positioned above the base left-end region and the mid-rail right-end region is positioned above the base right-end region;   a top rail positioned above and parallel to the mid rail, wherein the top rail comprise a top-rail left-end region and a top-rail right-end region opposite the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the top-rail left-end region is positioned above the mid-rail left-end region and the top-rail right-end region is positioned above the mid-rail right-end region;   a lower left-side leg comprising a lower-left-side-leg lower-end region and a lower-left-side-leg upper-end region opposite the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region, wherein the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally coupled to the base left-end region, and wherein the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   an upper left-side leg positioned above the lower left-side leg and comprising an upper-left-side-leg upper-end region and an upper-left-side-leg lower-end region opposite the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region, wherein the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally coupled to the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   a lower right-side leg comprising a lower-right-side-leg lower-end region and a lower-right-side-leg upper-end region opposite the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region, wherein the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally coupled to the base right-end region, and wherein the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail; and   an upper right-side leg positioned above the lower right-side leg and comprising an upper-right-side-leg upper-end region and an upper-right-side-leg lower-end region opposite the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region, wherein the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region is pivotally coupled to the top-rail right-end region, and wherein the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the mid rail;   wherein the collapsible guardrail has a deployed configuration, in which the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region are adjacent the mid-rail left-end region, and in which the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region are adjacent the mid-rail right-end region; and   wherein the collapsible guardrail has a collapsed configuration, in which the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region are spaced-away from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, and in which the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region are spaced-away from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region.   
     
     
         4 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , wherein the mid rail defines:
 a mid-rail lower-left track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail lower-left track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration;   a mid-rail upper-left track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail upper-left track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration;   a mid-rail lower-right track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail lower-right track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and   a mid-rail upper-right track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail upper-right track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration.   
     
     
         5 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a left-leg connecting block operatively coupling together the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region; and   a right-leg connecting block operatively coupling together the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region.   
     
     
         6 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 5 , wherein the mid rail defines:
 a mid-rail left-central track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the left-leg connecting block is configured to translate along the mid-rail left-central track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and   a mid-rail right-central track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the right-leg connecting block is configured to translate along the mid-rail right-central track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration.   
     
     
         7 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the mid rail defines:
 a mid-rail lower-left track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail lower-left track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
 a mid-rail upper-left track extending from the mid-rail left-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, wherein the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail upper-left track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
 a mid-rail lower-right track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail lower-right track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a mid-rail upper-right track extending from the mid-rail right-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, wherein the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is configured to translate along the mid-rail upper-right track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; 
   wherein the left-leg connecting block is operatively engaged with the mid-rail lower-left track, the mid-rail upper-left track, and the mid-rail left-central track in a left-side triangular pattern; and   wherein the right-leg connecting block is operatively engaged with the mid-rail lower-right track, the mid-rail upper-right track, and the mid-rail right-central track in a right-side triangular pattern.   
     
     
         8 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , wherein when the collapsible guardrail is in the deployed configuration:
 the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region is laterally left of the lower-left-side-leg lower-end region;   the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is laterally left of the upper-left-side-leg upper-end region;   the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region is laterally right of the lower-right-side-leg lower-end region; and   the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is laterally right of the upper-right-side-leg upper-end region.   
     
     
         9 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 ,
 wherein at least one of the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region is biased toward the mid-rail left-end region; and   wherein at least one of the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region is biased toward the mid-rail right-end region.   
     
     
         10 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a left-side spring operatively coupled between the base and the lower left-side leg and configured to bias the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, or between the top rail and the upper left-side leg and configured to bias the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region; and   right-side spring operatively coupled between the base and the lower right-side leg and configured to bias the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region, or between the top rail and the upper right-side leg and configured to bias the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region.   
     
     
         11 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 one or more motive sources configured to selectively translate the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region, and the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region.   
     
     
         12 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more motive sources comprise:
 a left-side motive source configured to selectively translate the lower-left-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-left-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail left-end region; and   a right-side motive source configured to selectively translate the lower-right-side-leg upper-end region and the upper-right-side-leg lower-end region toward the mid-rail right-end region.   
     
     
         13 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a controller operatively coupled to the one or more motive sources and configured to operate the one or more motive sources responsive to a user input.   
     
     
         14 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 ,
 wherein in the deployed configuration, the collapsible guardrail has a height;   wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg and the upper right-side leg has a width; and   wherein the width is at least 5% of the height.   
     
     
         15 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a lattice structure operatively coupled between the base and the top rail and configured to operatively support the top rail relative to the base.   
     
     
         16 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 15 , wherein the lattice structure is further operatively coupled to the mid rail and configured to support the mid rail relative to the top rail and the base. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 15 , wherein the lattice structure comprises:
 a lower-left lattice member pivotally coupled to the base;   an upper-left lattice member pivotally coupled to the lower-left lattice member and pivotally coupled to the top rail;   a lower-right lattice member pivotally coupled to the base; and   an upper-right lattice member pivotally coupled to the lower-right lattice member and pivotally coupled to the top rail.   
     
     
         18 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 17 , wherein the lower-left lattice member, the upper-left lattice member, the lower-right lattice member, and the upper-right lattice member define a parallelogram. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 15 , wherein the lattice structure comprises:
 a first angled member comprising a first-angled-member lower-end region and a first-angled-member upper-end region opposite the first-angled-member lower-end region, wherein the first-angled-member lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the base, and wherein the first-angled-member upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the top rail; and   a second angled member comprising a second-angled-member lower-end region and a second-angled-member upper-end region opposite the second-angled-member lower-end region, wherein the second-angled-member lower-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the base, and wherein the second-angled-member upper-end region is pivotally and translationally coupled to the top rail.   
     
     
         20 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the base defines:
 a base left-side track extending from the base left-end region toward the base right-end region, wherein the first-angled-member lower-end region is configured to translate along the base left-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a base right-side track extending from the base right-end region toward the base left-end region, wherein the second-angled-member lower-end region to considered to translate along the base right-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
   wherein the top rail defines:
 a top-rail left-side track extending from the top-rail left-end region toward the top-rail right-end region, wherein the second-angled-member upper-end region is configured to translate along the top-rail left-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration; and 
 a top-rail right-side track extending from the top-rail right-end region toward the top-rail left-end region, and wherein the first-angled-member upper-end region is configured to translate along the top-rail right-side track when the collapsible guardrail transitions between the deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration. 
   
     
     
         21 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 19 , wherein the first angled member is pivotally coupled to the second angled member. 
     
     
         22 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 19 , wherein the first angled member and the second angled member are pivotally coupled to the mid rail. 
     
     
         23 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 19 , wherein the first angled member and the second angled member define an X shape. 
     
     
         24 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the lattice structure comprises:
 a lower-left lattice member pivotally coupled to the base; 
 an upper-left lattice member pivotally coupled to the lower-left lattice member and pivotally coupled to the top rail; 
 a lower-right lattice member pivotally coupled to the base; and 
 an upper-right lattice member pivotally coupled to the lower-right lattice member and pivotally coupled to the top rail; 
   wherein the first angled member is pivotally coupled to the lower-left lattice member and is pivotally coupled to the upper-right lattice member; and   wherein the second angled member is pivotally coupled to the upper-left lattice member and is pivotally coupled to the lower-right lattice member.   
     
     
         25 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one screen operatively coupled between the base and the top rail and configured to restrict access to the mid rail.   
     
     
         26 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 3 , wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg, and the upper right-side leg comprises a web and at least one flange. 
     
     
         27 . The collapsible guardrail of  claim 26 , wherein each of the lower left-side leg, the upper left-side leg, the lower right-side leg, and the upper right-side leg comprises a C-channel.