AU2013100384A4 - Vehicle safety gate mounting bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket (12) for mounting a safety gate (13) to a deck (11) of a vehicle (20) is provided. The deck (11) has an aperture (16) extending generally upward from the deck (11) adjacent an edge (17) thereof. The bracket (12) includes a tongue portion (14) and a sleeve portion (15) connected to the tongue portion (14). The tongue portion (14) is configured to be inserted into the aperture (16), and extends along a first longitudinal axis (31). The sleeve portion (15) defines an opening (32) parallel to a second longitudinal axis (33) for receiving a mounting member (18) of the safety gate (13). The second longitudinal axis (33) is disposed at an acute angle (34) to the first longitudinal axis (31) such that, in use, the bracket (12) orients the safety gate (13) received at the opening (32) upwardly and outwardly from deck (11) of the vehicle (20) for arresting a fall of a human or object from the deck (11). \'~\ \\1 ____ - 23 \\\ \ _____ ________2__f 10 1I -* Figure

Description

1 VEHICLE SAFETY GATE MOUNTING BRACKET Field [0001] The present invention relates broadly to devices, systems and methods to arrest falls from vehicle decks, and more particularly but not exclusively to mounting brackets for mounting safety gates to vehicle decks. Background [0002] Common injuries to workers in the transport and storage industry typically involve falls from height in the course of work, e.g. during boarding/alighting, loading/unloading, etc. For example, to unload heavy and bulky items stacked on a trailer deck, a worker may need to climb on top of the items in order to mount individual pieces onto e.g. a crane hook. The combined height of loads and the trailer deck from the ground presents significant fall risks. This may be exacerbated e.g. by unexpected swings of the item while being moved by the crane, and unexpected movements of the trailer. Also, heavy or dangerous tools carried by the work may fall off, thus endangering other workers around the trailer. [0003] Existing measures to address the risks associated with falls from height typically focus on preventing fall while mounting or dismounting from the vehicles. In addition, existing fall arrest systems are normally expensive to install and cumbersome to use. Object [0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative. Summary of Invention [0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for mounting a safety gate to a deck of a vehicle, the deck having an aperture extending generally upward from the deck adjacent an edge thereof, the bracket including: a tongue portion configured to be inserted into the aperture, the tongue portion extending along a first longitudinal axis; and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening parallel to a second longitudinal axis for receiving a mounting member of the safety gate, 2 wherein the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an acute angle to the first longitudinal axis such that, in use, the bracket orients the safety gate mounted to the bracket upwardly and outwardly from deck of the vehicle for arresting a fall of a human or object from the deck. [0006] Preferably, the acute angle is between 100 to 300. [0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety system for a vehicle having a deck, the deck having an aperture extending generally upward from the deck along a longitudinal axis adjacent an edge thereof, the system including: a bracket including: a tongue portion inserted into the aperture of the deck; and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening; and a safety gate having a mounting member received in the opening of the bracket; wherein the safety gate extends upwardly and outwardly from the deck of the vehicle along a plane to arrest a fall of a human or object from the deck, the longitudinal axis making an acute angle with the plane. [0008] Preferably, the acute angle is between 100 to 30'. [0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for arresting a fall of a human or object from a deck of a vehicle, the deck having an aperture extending generally upward from the deck along a longitudinal axis adjacent an edge thereof, the method including the steps of: providing a bracket having a tongue portion and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening; mounting the bracket to the aperture by inserting the tongue portion of the bracket into the aperture; and inserting a mounting member of a safety gate into the opening of the bracket such that the safety gate extends upwardly and outwardly from the deck of the vehicle along a plane to arrest the fall of the human or object from the deck, the longitudinal axis making an acute angle with the plane.

3 Brief Description of Drawings [0010] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0011] Figure 1 shows a schematic side elevation view of a safety system for arresting a fall of a human or object from a vehicle deck according to an example embodiment; [0012] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the safety system of Figure 1 as installed on a vehicle; [0013] Figure 3 shows a schematic side elevation view of the bracket of Figure 1 according to an example embodiment; [0014] Figure 4 shows a schematic front elevation view of the bracket of Figure 3; [0015] Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the bracket of Figure 3; and [0016] Figure 6 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for arresting a fall of a human or object from a deck of a vehicle according to an example embodiment. Description of Embodiments [0017] In Figures 1 and 2, a safety system 10 for arresting a fall of a human or object from a vehicle deck 11 is depicted. The safety system 10 includes a bracket 12 used in conjunction with a safety gate 13. The bracket 12 includes a tongue portion 14 connected to a sleeve portion 15. An example of the bracket 12 is described in detail below with respect to Figures 3 to 5. In the assembled state as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tongue portion 14 is inserted into a hole or aperture 16 formed along an edge 17 (Figure 2) of the vehicle deck 11, while the sleeve portion 15 receives a mounting member 18 of the safety gate 13. The mounting member 18 is typically fixed to a lower rail of the safety gate 13, e.g. by welding, and comprises a tongue (not shown) extending parallel to the plane of the safety gate 13. Normally, the tongue engages with the sleeve portion 15 and supports the safety gate 13. Each vehicle deck 11 typically has a plurality of such holes or apertures 16 for mounting one or more safety gate 13 along the sides and the back of the vehicle deck 11. The size of the hole or aperture 16 may be 60mm x 12mm, while the cross-sectional size of the mounting member 18 may be 50mm x 6mm.

4 [0018] In addition, while the hole 16 extends parallel to an axis 19 that is perpendicular to the vehicle deck 11, e.g. substantially vertical for a horizontal vehicle deck 11, the safety gate 13 extends upwardly and outwardly from the vehicle 20 (Figure 2) such that an acute angle 21 forms between the axis 19 and the plane of the safety gate 13. For example, in Figure 2, the angle 21 that the axis 19 makes with the safety gate 13 is represented by the angle 21 between the axis 19 and a vertical support member 22. In preferred implementations, the angle 21 may be in the range of 100 to 30', more preferably about 20'. The angle 21 may be adjusted accordingly depending on actual requirements. [0019] When installed on the vehicle deck 11, the safety system 10 helps to arrest a fall, e.g. of a human operator 23 (Figure 2), and to provide additional space to dodge moving loads or equipment. The safety gate 13 and the bracket 12 thus normally are sufficiently rigid so as to support the weight of the human operator 23. [0020] Figures 3 to 5 show various views depicting the bracket 12 used in the safety system 10 of Figure 1. As described above, the bracket 12 includes a tongue portion 14 connected to a sleeve portion 15. In the implementation shown in Figures 3 to 5, the tongue portion is connected to the sleeve portion by a weld joint 30; however, it will be appreciated that other types of connections can be used. Also, the tongue portion 14 may be contiguous with the sleeve portion 15. [0021] As illustrated in Figure 3, the tongue portion 14 extends generally along a first longitudinal axis 31. The sleeve portion 15 defines a pocket or opening 32 having a second longitudinal axis 33. The first longitudinal axis is 31 inclined to the second longitudinal axis 33 such that an acute angle 34 is formed therebetween. In preferred implementations, the acute angle 34 may be in the range of 10' to 30', more preferably about 20'. Here, the inclination is achieved by having the tongue portion 14 disposed substantially orthogonal to a connecting portion 35, and fixing the connecting portion 35 to the sleeve portion 15 at an angle less than 900, e.g. from 600 to 800. Alternatively, the inclination may be achieved by having the tongue portion 14 disposed at an angle less than 900, e.g. about 600 to 800, to the connecting portion 35, while fixing the connecting portion 35 substantially orthogonally to the sleeve portion 15. [0022] In this implementation, the pocket or opening 32 is formed by bending a first plate 36 near the opposing edges and welding the bent edges to a second plate 37; however, it will be 5 appreciated that other methods to form the opening 32 are possible in alternate embodiments. Example dimensions of the opening 32 may be 65mm length x 10mm width x 90 mm depth, the dimensions of the tongue portion 14 and connection portion 35 may be 50mm length x 50mm width x 6mm thickness, and the dimensions of the second plate 37 may be 110mm length x 90mm width x 6mm thickness. Other dimensions are possible while allowing the tongue portion 14 to be inserted into the hole 16 (Figure 1) and allowing the mounting member 18 (Figure 1) to be inserted into the opening 32. [0023] Figure 6 shows a flow chart 60 illustrating a method for arresting a fall of a human or object from a vehicle deck according to an example embodiment. Typically, the deck has an aperture extending generally upward from the deck about a longitudinal axis adjacent an edge thereof. At step 61, a bracket having a tongue portion and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening, is provided. At step 62, the bracket is mounted to the aperture by inserting the tongue portion of the bracket into the aperture. At step 63, a mounting member of the safety gate is inserted into the opening of the bracket such that the safety gate extends upwardly and outwardly from the deck of the vehicle along a plane to arrest the fall of the human or object from the deck, the longitudinal axis making an acute angle with the plane. [0024] The device, system and method as described in the example embodiments can provide a simple, yet effective way to arrest falls from height. For example, the system can be installed on existing vehicles without modification to the vehicles themselves. Thus, the cost of the system can be minimized while preventing injury risks to workers.

Claims (5)

1. A bracket for mounting a safety gate to a deck of a vehicle, the deck having an aperture extending generally upward from the deck adjacent an edge thereof, the bracket comprising: a tongue portion configured to be inserted into the aperture, the tongue portion extending along a first longitudinal axis; and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening parallel to a second longitudinal axis for receiving a mounting member of the safety gate, wherein the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an acute angle to the first longitudinal axis such that, in use, the bracket orients the safety gate received at the opening upwardly and outwardly from deck of the vehicle for arresting a fall of a human or object from the deck.

2. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acute angle is between 100 to 30'.

3. A safety system for a vehicle having a deck, the deck having an aperture extending generally upward from the deck along a longitudinal axis adjacent an edge thereof, the system comprising: a bracket comprising: a tongue portion inserted into the aperture of the deck; and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening; and a safety gate having a mounting member received in the opening of the bracket; wherein the safety gate extends upwardly and outwardly from the deck of the vehicle along a plane to arrest a fall of a human or object from the deck, the longitudinal axis making an acute angle with the plane.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the acute angle is between 10' to 30'.

5. A method for arresting a fall of a human or object from a deck of a vehicle, the deck having an aperture extending generally upward from the deck along a longitudinal axis adjacent an edge thereof, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bracket having a tongue portion and a sleeve portion connected to the tongue portion, the sleeve portion defining an opening; mounting the bracket to the aperture by inserting the tongue portion of the bracket into the aperture; and 7 inserting a mounting member of a safety gate into the opening of the bracket such that the safety gate extends upwardly and outwardly from the deck of the vehicle along a plane to arrest the fall of the human or object from the deck, the longitudinal axis making an acute angle with the plane. UltraFloor Pty. Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON