Barrier Including Strap With Strap Retention Mechanism

Abstract

A protective barrier includes a first rail receiving member, a second rail receiving member, a rail extending between the first rail receiving member and the second rail receiving member, the rail having ends received by the first rail receiving member and the second rail receiving member, and a strap system extending between the first rail receiving member and the second rail receiving member and through the rail, the strap system including a first strap retaining mechanism including a clamp for securing a first distal end of a strap within the protective barrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective barrier comprising:
 a first rail receiving member;   a second rail receiving member;   a rail extending between the first rail receiving member and the second rail receiving member, the rail having ends received by the first rail receiving member and the second rail receiving member;   a strap system extending between the first rail receiving member and the second rail receiving member and through the rail, the strap system including a strap and a first strap retaining mechanism including a clamp for securing a first distal end of the strap within the protective barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The protective barrier of  claim 1  wherein the first strap retaining mechanism includes a body with a clamping surface and a plate, the clamp comprising the plate and the clamping surface. 
     
     
         3 . The protective barrier of  claim 2  wherein securing the first distal end of the strap within the protective barrier includes pressing a part of the first distal end of the strap against the clamping surface using the plate of the clamp. 
     
     
         4 . The protective barrier of  claim 2  wherein the plate is attached to the first strap retaining member using one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         5 . The protective barrier of  claim 4  wherein the one or more fasteners are used to advance the plate in a direction toward the clamping surface to press the part of the first distal end of the strap against the clamping surface using the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The protective barrier of  claim 2  wherein the plate includes an opening configured to receive the first distal end of the strap. 
     
     
         7 . The protective barrier of  claim 2  wherein the body of the first strap retaining mechanism includes an opening for receiving the first distal end of the strap. 
     
     
         8 . The protective barrier of  claim 1  wherein the first strap retaining mechanism is configured for attachment to a surface. 
     
     
         9 . The protective barrier of  claim 8  wherein the first strap retaining mechanism includes an attachment surface including one or more through holes through which a corresponding one or more fasteners extend to secure the first strap retaining mechanism to the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The protective barrier of  claim 9  further comprising one or more elastic members configured to rest on the attachment surface with a corresponding one of the fasteners extending therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The protective barrier of  claim 10  wherein each of the one or more elastic members has a washer disposed thereon and the elastic member is held captive between the washer and the attachment surface. 
     
     
         12 . The protective barrier of  claim 1  wherein the first strap retaining mechanism is disposed within the first rail receiving member. 
     
     
         13 . The protective barrier of  claim 1  further comprising a second strap retaining mechanism for securing a second distal end of the strap, opposite the first distal end of the strap, within the protective barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The protective barrier of  claim 12  wherein the second strap retaining mechanism is disposed within the second rail receiving member. 
     
     
         15 . The protective barrier of  claim 1  wherein the first rail receiving member includes a covered opening for providing access to the first strap retaining mechanism.