Apparatus to Facilitate Physical Distancing

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a barrier assembly including a frame to hold a barrier member. A bracket defines a track and the bracket can be attached to a support surface such that a first branch of the bracket resides on a first side of the support surface and a second branch of the bracket resides on a second side of the support surface. An articulating connector couples the frame to track, the articulating connector enables the frame to move in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the track. The frame and connector can move along the track from a first position in which the frame resides above the support surface to a second position in which the frame resides below the support surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a barrier   a bracket to be coupled to a support surface such that a first branch of the bracket resides on a first side of the support surface and a second branch of the bracket resides on a second side of the support surface, the bracket defining a track; and   a connector coupling the barrier to the track, the connector enabling the barrier to move along the track from a first position in which the barrier resides above the support surface and is configured to physically separate adjacent persons along the support surface to a second position in which the barrier resides below the support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the track has an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bracket has an I shaped cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the connector comprises:
 a clamp that couples the barrier to the track and in use has no moving parts. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the connector further comprises:
 a T-bolt rotatably coupled to the clamp. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one spacer coupled to the bracket to reside between the first branch and the support surface. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second branch is longer than the first branch. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bracket is unitarily formed as an integral unit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an adjustable pressure plate to engage an underside of the support surface.