AU2017232163B2

AU2017232163B2 - Guard Panel System

Info

Publication number: AU2017232163B2
Application number: AU2017232163A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jean Van Wyk
Original assignee: Cadds Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Cadds Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-25
Filing date: 2017-09-21
Publication date: 2023-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-21
Also published as: AU2017232163A1

Abstract

5 A guard panel system 10 includes first and second upright support members 12 having a plurality of mounting projections 14 provided thereon. A rectangular guard panel 20 adapted to be removably supported on the support members 12 is provided, the panel 20 comprising first and second 10 side portions 22 having a plurality of recesses 24 provided therein. Each recess 24 is adapted to receive a matching one of the mounting projections 14 on the support members 12 therein, and at least one of the recesses 24a is a latched recess having a self-hooking latch mechanism 30 provided in connection with the recess. In use as the panel 20 is installed on the support 15 members 12, the self-hooking latch mechanism 30 engages with a matching one of the mounting projections 14 and latches the panel 20 onto the support member 12 when it reaches alatched position. 04e N* 0a O- C% -- - ------ aI . I 1 7 7. 1 e a 1 ins

Description

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ORIGINAL AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"GUARD PANEL SYSTEM"

Applicant:

CADDS GROUP PTY LTD

Associated Provisional Application No.: 2016904341

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"GUARD PANEL SYSTEM"

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a guard panel or safety barrier system for restricting human access to industrial machinery or hazardous areas on an industrial site and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to such a system that employs wire mesh guard panels.

Background to the Invention

In many industrial sites, such as factories or manufacturing plants, large automated or semi-automated machinery is employed with various moving parts that are potentially hazardous if they come into contact with any part of the human body. For example, large presses, cutting machinery, industrial ovens, conveyor belts, robotic assembly lines, etc. present occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards, and therefore access to human beings must be restricted to prevent accidents and injuries.

Numerous prior art guard panel or safety barrier systems have been developed to restrict access to such potentially hazardous industrial sites. For example, Australian Patent No 2005202549 describes a safety barrier assembly and system for restricting access to a conveyor system. It includes a guard panel and at least two upright posts for supporting the panel. Each panel comprises first and second side portions including at least two linearly separated mounting means. The posts include at least upper and lower support portions arranged to releasably receive a corresponding one of the mounting means, in order to mount the panel between the upright posts and form a safety barrier.

In AU2005202549 the mounting means are formed in upright webs of the side portions and comprise angled slots or recesses having an open end at an edge of each respective web distal from the front face and a closed end, with the closed end being disposed above the open end of each slot or recess when the guard panel is in an upright mounted position. This design is very simple and easy to install or remove when access is required. However it does have a number of disadvantages. For example, during installation all four of the slots or recesses have to be correctly aligned with the corresponding support portions on the upright posts before the panel can be released and dropped onto the support portions. Hence during the installation process, the full weight of the panel has to be supported, which typically requires a two person operation to avoid back injuries. Also the guard panel of AU2005202549 does not have a locking mechanism for locking the panel onto the upright posts.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a guard panel system that is less susceptible to the disadvantages of the prior art and that can readily installed in a safe and reliable manner.

References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a guard panel for a guard panel system having first and second upright support members with a plurality of mounting projections provided thereon, the guard panel comprising:

first and second side portions having a plurality of recesses provided therein, each recess being adapted to receive a matching one of the mounting projections on the support members therein, at least one of the recesses being a latched recess having a self-hooking latch mechanism provided in connection with the recess, wherein the self-hooking latch mechanism comprises a hinged lever having a hook portion that hooks onto one of the mounting projections in a latched position and wherein, in use when the panel is installed on the support members, the hook portion hooks onto a matching one of the mounting projections and latches the panel onto the support member when it reaches the latched position.

Preferably at least two of the recesses on the guard panel are provided with a self-hooking latch in connection therewith.

Advantageously the hook portion has a cam surface adapted to engage with one of the mounting projections and to cause the hook portion to ride over the mounting projection as the guard panel is being installed on the support members. Preferably the hinged lever further comprises a release toggle projecting sideways where it can be lifted manually with a finger or a tool to move the hinged lever from the latched position to an unlatched position. Preferably self-hooking latch mechanism further comprises a lock mechanism including a locking bolt adapted to lock the hinged lever in the latched position. Typically the locking bolt is a screw-threaded bolt which is moved to the locking position by screwing the bolt through a threaded aperture provided in connection with the self-hooking latch mechanism. Preferably in the locked position a distal end of the locking bolt engages with the mounting projection, pulling the hook portion onto the mounting projection.

In a preferred embodiment the guard panel further comprises a sheet of mesh, and each side portion comprises an elongate right angle bracket which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh when viewed in an upright position. Preferably each bracket has a right-angle profile with a front web that rests on a front face of the mesh, and a side web that rests on an end face of the mesh. Preferably each bracket is provided with hook portions that hook onto a first vertical wire of the mesh, and locking tabs that lock the bracket onto a second vertical wire of the mesh. Advantageously each hook portion and locking tab is formed as an integrated component, which is secured to the front web with a rivet.

Preferably there are four recesses, two provided in each side portion, at least one of the recesses comprising a slotted recess in which one of the mounting projections is received. Preferably the slotted recess is shaped so that once the mounting projection is fully received in the recess it hooks the panel onto the mounting projection. Preferably in order to receive the mounting projection fully in the slotted recess the panel has to be moved in a generally horizontal direction first, then in a generally vertical direction in order to hook the panel onto the mounting projection.

Preferably the guard panel is also provided with top and bottom portions along respective horizontal edges of the sheet of mesh when viewed in an upright position. Each top and bottom portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket which is attached to a respective horizontal edge of the sheet of mesh.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a guard panel system comprising:

first and second upright support members having a plurality of mounting projections provided thereon;

a rectangular guard panel adapted to be removably supported on the support members, the panel comprising first and second side portions having a plurality of recesses provided therein, each recess being adapted to receive a matching one of the mounting projections on the support members therein, at least one of the recesses being a latched recess having a self-hooking latch mechanism provided in connection with the recess, wherein the self hooking latch mechanism comprises a hinged lever having a hook portion that hooks onto one of the mounting projections in a latched position and wherein, in use as the panel is installed on the support members, the hook portion hooks onto a matching one of the mounting projections and latches the panel onto the support member when it reaches the latched position.

Typically the guard panel is one of a plurality of guard panels. Preferably there is provided an upper and a lower guard panel. Advantageously in the upper guard panel a pair of slotted recesses are provided, one in each side portion at an upper region of the side portions, and a pair of latched recesses, one in each side portion at a lower region of the side portions. Preferably the slotted recesses in the upper guard panel are each formed with a slot extending in an upwards direction. Advantageously in the lower guard panel a pair of latched recesses are provided, one in each side portion at an upper region of the side portions, and a pair of slotted recesses, one in each side portion at a lower region of the side portions. Preferably the slotted recesses in the lower guard panel are each formed with a slot extending in a downwards direction.

Preferably the guard panel system further comprises a safe release tool for safely releasing a guard panel from the upright support members. Preferably the tool has four legs, two legs being provided at each end of an elongate body portion. Each leg is preferably formed with a slot which extends longitudinally of the tool. Preferably all the slots open towards a top end of the tool. Advantageously each lower slot also has a lateral portion, and is in the shape of an upside-down T. Advantageously an aperture is provided at each end of the body portion, of a size and shape corresponding to the shape of a hexagonal head of a locking bolt. Advantageously, the tool can be used to loosen the locking bolt, by fitting the aperture to the bolt head and applying a torque to the tool.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of several specific embodiments of guard panel system, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of a guard panel system according to the present invention, shown in a fully assembled condition;

Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 1 showing a lower guard panel prior to installation;

Figure 4 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 3 showing the lower guard panel as it is being installed;

Figure 5 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 4 showing the lower guard panel fully installed, and an upper guard panel prior to installation;

Figure 6 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 5 showing the upper guard panel as it is being installed;

Figure 7(a) is side rear perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 4 showing the lower guard panel as it is being installed;

Figure 7(b) is an enlarged detail view from Figure 7(a) showing how a slotted recess is received on a mounting projection;

Figure 8(a) is side rear perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 7(a) showing the lower guard panel fully installed;

Figure 8(b) is an enlarged detail view from Figure 8(a) showing how a latched recess is received on a mounting projection;

Figures 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 9(d) and 9(e) show how a first embodiment of a side portion is attached to a guard panel of the guard panel system of

Figure 1;

Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are an enlarged front perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 1 showing a locking bolt in a locked and an unlocked position respectively;

Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are an enlarged rear perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 1 showing a self-hooking latch mechanism in a latched and an unlatched position respectively, with the locking bolt in an unlocked position;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an upright support member of the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are enlarged detail views showing a preferred manner of installing a mounting projection on the support member of Figure 12;

Figures 14(a), 14(b) and 14(c) are top plan views of three different embodiments respectively of an upright support member of the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figure 15(a) illustrates examples of three different sizes of guard panels for the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figure 15(b) illustrates examples of how the different sized guard panels of Figure 15(a) can be configured in the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figures 16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) are a side elevation, end view and perspective view respectively of a safe release tool employed in the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figures 17(a), 17(b) and 17(c) illustrated how the safe release tool illustrated in Figure 16 is attached to a guard panel in the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figures 18(a), 18(b), 18(c) and 18(d) show how a second embodiment of a side portion is attached to a guard panel of the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figures 19(a), 19(b), 19(c), 19(d) and 19(e) show how a top portion is attached to a guard panel in the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figures 20(a), 20(b), 20(c) and 20(d) illustrate a third embodiment of a side portion for a guard panel of the guard panel system of Figure 1;

Figure 21 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of a guard panel system according to the present invention, shown in a fully assembled condition;

Figure 22 is a side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 21 showing a lower guard panel prior to installation;

Figure 24 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 23 showing the lower guard panel as it is being installed;

Figure 25 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 24 showing the lower guard panel fully installed, and an upper guard panel prior to installation;

Figure 26 is side perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 25 showing the upper guard panel as it is being installed;

Figure 27(a) is side rear perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 24 showing the lower guard panel as it is being installed;

Figure 27(b) is an enlarged detail view from Figure 27(a) showing how a slotted recess is received on a mounting projection;

Figure 28(a) is side rear perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 27(a) showing the lower guard panel fully installed;

Figure 28(b) is an enlarged detail view from Figure 28(a) showing how a latched recess is received on a mounting projection;

Figures 29(a), 29(b), 29(c), 29(d), 29(e), 29(f), 29(g), 29(h), 29(i) and 29(j) show how a third embodiment of a side portion is attached to a guard panel of the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figures 30(a) and 30(b) are an enlarged front perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 21 showing a locking bolt in a locked and an unlocked position respectively;

Figures 31(a) and 31(b) are an enlarged rear perspective view of the guard panel system of Figure 21 showing a self-hooking latch mechanism in a latched and an unlatched position respectively, with the locking bolt in an unlocked position;

Figure 32(a) is a perspective view of an upright support member of the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figure 32(b) is an enlarged detail view showing a mounting projection on the support member of Figure 32(a);

Figure 33(a) is a perspective view of an upright support member of the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figure 33(b) is an enlarged detail view showing a preferred manner of installing a mounting projection on the support member of Figure 33(a);

Figures 34(a), 34(b), 34(c), 34 (d) and 34(e) are top plan views of five different embodiments respectively of an upright support member of the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figure 35(a) illustrates examples of three different sizes of guard panels for the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figure 35(b) illustrates examples of how the different sized guard panels of Figure 25(a) can be configured in the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figures 36(a), 36(b) and 36(c) are a side elevation, end view and perspective view respectively of a safe release tool employed in the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figures 37(a), 37(b) and 37(c) illustrated how the safe release tool illustrated in Figure 36 is attached to a guard panel in the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figures 38(a), 38(b), 38(c) and 38(d) show how a fourth embodiment of a side portion is attached to a guard panel of the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figures 39(a), 39(b), 39(c), 39(d) and 39(e) show how a top portion is attached to a guard panel in the guard panel system of Figure 21;

Figures 40(a), 40(b), 40(c) and 40(d) illustrate a fifth embodiment of a side portion for a guard panel of the guard panel system of Figure 21; and,

Figure 41 is a cross-section view through the self-hooking latch mechanism of the guard panel in the guard panel system of Figure 21, showing the locking bolt in the locked position.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

A first embodiment of a guard panel system 10 in accordance with the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, comprises first and second upright support members 12a and 12b having a plurality of mounting projections 14 provided thereon. The guard panel system 10 also comprises a rectangular guard panel 20 adapted to be removably supported on the support members 12. In this embodiment the guard panel 20 comprises a sheet of mesh 25, typically steel mesh. However it will be understood that the guard panel may also comprise a solid panel, typically steel plate and/or a combination or mesh and plate.

The panel 20 comprises first and second side portions 22 having a plurality of recesses 24 provided therein. Each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 22 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the panel 20 when it is an upright position. The brackets 22 and manner of attachment to the mesh panel 20 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 9. Each recess 24, provided in the side portions 22, is adapted to receive a matching one of the mounting projections

14 on the support members 12 therein. At least one of the recesses 24 is a latched recess 24a having a self-hooking latch mechanism 30 provided in connection with the latched recess 24a. In use, as the panel 20 is installed on the support members 12, the self-hooking latch mechanism 30 engages with a matching one of the mounting projections 14 on one of the support members 12 and latches the panel 20 onto the support member 12 when it reaches a latched position.

Preferably each guard panel 20 is provided with four recesses 24, two provided in each side portion 22, at least one of the recesses comprising a slotted recess 24b in which one of the mounting projections 14 is received. In the present embodiment each mounting projection is typically a pin 14 which has a threaded end that is screwed into a matching hole drilled into a wall of the support member 12, as can be seen most clearly in Figures 12 and 13. Typically each upright support member 12 is provided with four such mounting pins 14 fastened onto a wall of the member 12 at spaced intervals, corresponding to the spacing of the recesses 24 on the guard panels 20. This arrangement of four mounting pins 14 on each upright support member 12 allows them to support two guard panels, a lower guard panel 20a and an upper guard panel 20b, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The support member 12 is typically manufactured from Square Hollow Section (SHS) steel tube, with four sidewalls, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 14. A base plate 26 is provided at the base of the support member 12 to enable it to be fastened to a floor, e.g. with four bolts. A single support member 12 can typically support two guard panels 20 on a first sidewall, and two more guard panels on a second sidewall, the second sidewall being either perpendicular to the first sidewall, as shown in Figure 14(b) or opposite to the first sidewall, as shown in Figure 14(c). These configurations enable the guard panels 20 to be mounted on the support member at 90° to each other, for example at a corner, or at 1800 to each other, to form a straight wall.

In this embodiment, two slotted recesses 24b are provided, one in each side portion 22. Preferably each slotted recess 24b is shaped so that once a mounting pin 14 is fully received in the recess it hooks the panel 20 onto the mounting pin 14. Preferably in order to receive the mounting pin14 fully in the slotted recess 24b the panel 20 has to be moved in a generally horizontal direction first, then in a generally vertical direction in order to hook the panel 20 onto the mounting pin 14. Typically each slotted recess 24b is formed with an opening permitting a mounting pin 14 to enter the recess as the panel 20 is moved in a generally horizontal direction. Advantageously the opening of the slotted recess 24b communicates with a slot that extends in a generally vertical direction, allowing the mounting pin 14 to move into the slot as the panel 20 is moved downwards in a generally vertical direction, in order to hook the panel 20 onto the mounting pin 14.

In this embodiment two of the recesses on the guard panel 20 are provided with a self-hooking latch mechanism 30 in connection therewith to form a pair of latched recesses 24a. Advantageously in the lower guard panel 20a a pair of latched recesses 24a are provided, one in each side portion 22 at an upper region of the side portions, and a pair of slotted recesses 24b, one in each side portion at a lower region of the side portions 22. Preferably the slotted recesses 24b in the lower guard panel 20a are each formed with a slot extending in an upwards direction, as can be seen in Figure 3.

In order to install the lower guard panel 20a on the support members 12, the two slotted recesses 24b are first hooked onto the lowermost mounting pins 14 on the respective support members 12, as shown in Figure 7(a) and 7(b). The guard panel 20a is then effectively hinged on the lowermost mounting pins 14, as shown in Figure 4, and most of the weight of the guard panel 20a will then be carried by the lowermost mounting pins 14. The upper edge of the guard panel 20a is then pivoted forwards until the matching mounting pins 14 enter the respective latched recesses 24a. As the mounting pins 14 enter the latched recesses 24a, the respective pins 14 engage with the self hooking latch mechanism 30 of each latched recess 24a, which latches the panel 20 onto the support member 12 when it reaches a latched position, as shown in Figures 5 and 8(a) and 8(b).

The self-hooking latch mechanism 30 preferably comprises a hinged lever 32 having a hook portion 34 that hooks onto one of the mounting pins 14 in the latched position. The hinged lever 32 is preferably pivotally mounted on a pivot 35 provided on a part of the side portion 22 of the guard panel 20. Advantageously the hook portion 34 has a cam surface 36 adapted to engage with one of the mounting pins 14 and to cause the hook portion 34 to ride over the mounting pin as the guard panel 20 is being installed on the support members 12, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 11. When the pin 14 first strikes against the cam surface 36 on the hook portion 34, the curvature of the cam surface 36 causes the hinged lever 32 to pivot upwards, as shown in Figure 11(b), and to ride over the mounting pin 14, until it drops onto the mounting pin in the latched position as shown in Figure 11(a).

Preferably the hinged lever 32 further comprises press portion 38 projecting sideways where it can be pressed with a finger or a tool to move the hinged lever 32 manually from the latched position to an unlatched position. Preferably the self-hooking latch mechanism 30 further comprises a lock mechanism 40 including a locking bolt 42 adapted to lock the hinged lever 32 in the latched position. In the illustrated embodiment the lock mechanism 40 further comprises a lock aperture 44 provided in hinged lever 32, and adapted to receive a distal end of the locking bolt 42 therein when the locking bolt 42 is moved to a locked position. Typically the locking bolt is a screw threaded bolt 42 which is moved to the locked position by screwing the bolt 42 through a threaded aperture provided in a front face of the side portion 22. In the locked position the distal end of the locking bolt 42 extends into the lock aperture 44, and prevents the hinged lever 32 from pivoting upwards on pivot 35, as shown in Figure 10(a). Figures 10(b) and Figure 11 show the locking bolt 42 in the unlocked position.

In this embodiment the side portions 22 on the upper guard panel 20b have a different configuration from that on the lower guard panel 20a. The reason for this will become evident below. However the upper guard panel 20a could also be configured in a way that is identical to the lower guard panel 20a if preferred. Advantageously in the upper guard panel 20b a pair of slotted recesses 24b are provided, one in each side portion 22 at an upper region of the side portions, and a pair of latched recesses 24a, one in each side portion 22 at a lower region of the side portions. Preferably the slotted recesses 24b in the upper guard panel 20b are each formed with a slot extending in an upwards direction, as can be seen in Figure 5. The reason for this, is so that during installation, the slotted recesses 24b are first hooked onto the uppermost mounting pins 14, and most of the weight of the guard panel will then be carried by the uppermost mounting pins 14.

In order to install the upper guard panel 20b on the support members 12, the two slotted recesses 24b are first hooked onto the uppermost mounting pins 14 on the respective support members 12, as shown in Figure 6. The guard panel 20b is then effectively hinged on the uppermost mounting pins 14, as shown in Figure 6, and most of the weight of the guard panel 20a will then be carried by the uppermost mounting pins 14. The lower edge of the guard panel 20b is then allowed to pivot forwards substantially under its own weight until the matching mounting pins 14 on the support members 12 enter the respective latched recesses 24a. As the mounting pins 14 enter the latched recesses 24a, the respective pins 14 engage with the self-hooking latch mechanism 30 of each latched recess 24a, which latches the panel 20b onto the support member 12 when it reaches a latched position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

It will be seen that the installation process is greatly simplified with this arrangement, with most of the weight of the guard panels being carried by the support members 12 during the installation process, which can easily be performed by a single person.

As noted above, each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 22 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position. Each bracket

22 has a right-angle profile as can be seen most clearly in Figure 9(a) and 9(b), with a front web 50 that rests on a front face of the mesh 25 of panel 20, and a side web 52 that rests on an end face of the mesh 25 of panel 20. The front web 50 has hook portions 54 that hook onto a first vertical wire of the mesh 25, as shown in Figures 9 (a) and 9(b), and locking tabs 56 that lock the bracket 22 onto a second vertical wire of the mesh 25, as shown in Figures 9(cO and 9(d). Each locking tab 56 is secured to the front web 50 with a rivet 58, as shown in Figure 9(e).

The guard panels 20 may be made of any desired size to suit the application for the guard panel system 10. Figure 15 illustrates three different sized panels 20a, 20b and 20c, 608mm, 908mm and 1208mm in height respectively. The three different sized panels 20 can be mixed and matched, as shown in Figure 15(b), to produce a barrier of any required height, using matching upright support members 12a, 12b, 12c, etc.

Advantageously the guard panel system 10 further comprises a safe release tool 60, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, for safely releasing a guard panel 20 from the upright support members 12. The tool 60 is formed from pressed sheet steel formed into an upside-down U-shape, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 16(b). The tool 60 has four legs 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d, two legs 62 being provided at each end of an elongate body portion 64, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 16(c). Each leg 62 is formed with a slot 66 which extends longitudinally of the tool 60. All the slots 66 open towards a top end of the tool. The lower slot 66a also has a lateral portion, and is the shape of an upside-down T.

An aperture 68 is provided at each end of the body portion 64, of a size and shape corresponding to the shape of the hexagonal head of the locking bolt 42. Advantageously, the tool 60 can be used to loosen the locking bolt 42, by fitting the aperture 68 to the bolt head and applying a torque to the tool.

The body portion 64 of the safe release tool 60 can be used as a handle to lift the guard panel 20 from the support members 12, in use. Two of the tools 60 can be attached to horizontal strands of the mesh 25, as shown in Figures

17(b) and 17(c), with the mesh strand in the lower slot 66a received in the lateral portion of the lower slot 66a. The body portion 64 of the respective tools 60 is gripped in each hand, and a lifting action is applied to the guard panel 20 via the tools. All of the weight of the panel 20 will be held in the lower slots 66a of the respective tools 60, as the panel is lifted off the mounting projections 14 on the upright support members 12.

Figure 18 illustrates a second embodiment of a side portion 72 attached to a guard panel 20 of the guard panel system of Figure 1. As with the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 72 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position. Each bracket 72 has a right-angle profile as can be seen most clearly in Figure 18(c) and 18(d), with a front web 74 that rests on a front face of the mesh 25 of panel 20, and a side web 76 that rests on an end face of the mesh 25 of panel 20. In this embodiment a plurality of hook portions 78 are provided that hook onto a first vertical wire of the mesh 25, as shown in Figures 18 (b) and 18(d). Each hook portion 78 is formed with an integral locking tab that locks the bracket 72 onto a second vertical wire of the mesh 25, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 18(c). The locking tab passes through an aperture in the front web 74, passes around the second wire of the mesh 25 and is locked into an aperture provided in the side web 76, and the hook portion 78 is then secured to the front web 74 with a rivet 80.

Figure 20 illustrates a third embodiment of a side portion 92 attached to a guard panel 20 of the guard panel system of Figure 1. As with the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 92 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position. However in this embodiment the bracket 92 is formed in three sections 92a, 92b and 92c. Top and bottom brackets 92a and 92c are substantially identical, whereas the middle bracket 92b is a custom "L" bracket of variable length, which is secured end to end with the top and bottom brackets 92a and 92c using rivets, to complete the guard panel. This enables the length of the side portion brackets 92 to be adjusted to suit guard panels of various heights. In other respects the side portion brackets 92 are similar to the brackets 22, and will not be described again in detail.

Advantageously, in addition to the two side portion brackets 22, 72 or 92, the guard panel 20 may also be provided with top and bottom portions in the form of horizontal brackets 98, as shown in Figure 19. As with the side portion brackets, each top and bottom portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 98 which is attached to a respective horizontal edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position. The top and bottom portion brackets 98 are attached to the top and bottom edges respectively of the mesh panel, using the same hook portion 78 with integral locking tab, as described above with reference to Figure 18. The combination of side portion brackets and top and bottom portion brackets allows the guard panels 20 to be assembled without the need for top and bottom mesh bend-overs to provide strength and rigidity, further simplifying the manufacturing process. The additional brackets 98 will strengthen the mesh panel to comply with standard requirements.

A second embodiment of a guard panel system 100 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figures 21 to 40. The guard panel system 100 is similar in many respects to the guard panel system 10 of the first embodiment, and therefore the like parts are identified using the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. The guard panel system 100, as shown in Figures 21 to 28, comprises first and second upright support members 12a and 12b having a plurality of mounting projections 14 provided thereon. The guard panel system 100 also comprises a rectangular guard panel 20 adapted to be removably supported on the support members 12. As with the first embodiment, the guard panel 20 comprises a sheet of mesh 25, typically steel mesh. However it will be understood that the guard panel may also comprise a solid panel, typically steel plate and/or a combination or mesh and plate.

The panel 20 comprises first and second side portions 22 having a plurality of recesses 24 provided therein. Each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 22 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the panel 20 when it is an upright position. The brackets 22 and manner of attachment to the mesh panel 20 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 29. Each recess 24, provided in the side portions 22, is adapted to receive a matching one of the mounting projections 14 on the support members 12 therein. At least one of the recesses 24 is a latched recess 24a having a self-hooking latch mechanism 102 provided in connection with the latched recess 24a. In use, as the panel 20 is installed on the support members 12, the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 engages with a matching one of the mounting projections 14 on one of the support members 12 and latches the panel 20 onto the support member 12 when it reaches a latched position.

Preferably each guard panel 20 is provided with four recesses 24, two provided in each side portion 22, at least one of the recesses comprising a slotted recess 24b in which one of the mounting projections 14 is received. In the present embodiment each mounting projection is typically a pin 14 which has a threaded end that is screwed into a matching hole drilled into a wall of the support member 12, as can be seen most clearly in Figures 32 and 33. Typically each upright support member 12 is provided with four such mounting pins 14 fastened onto a wall of the member 12 at spaced intervals, corresponding to the spacing of the recesses 24 on the guard panels 20. This arrangement of four mounting pins 14 on each upright support member 12 allows them to support two guard panels, a lower guard panel 20a and an upper guard panel 20b, as shown in Figures 21 and 22.

A single support member 12 can typically support two guard panels 20 on a first sidewall, and two more guard panels on a second sidewall, the second sidewall being either perpendicular to the first sidewall, as shown in Figure 34(b) or opposite to the first sidewall, as shown in Figure 34(c). These configurations enable the guard panels 20 to be mounted on the support member at 900 to each other, for example at a corner, or at 1800 to each other, to form a straight wall. However each support member 12 can also be used to support guard panels 20 on three or four sidewalls, as shown in Figures 34(d) and 34(e).

As in the previous embodiment, two slotted recesses 24b are provided, one in each side portion 22. Preferably each slotted recess 24b is shaped so that once a mounting pin 14 is fully received in the recess it hooks the panel 20 onto the mounting pin 14. Preferably in order to receive the mounting pin14 fully in the slotted recess 24b the panel 20 has to be moved in a generally horizontal direction first, then in a generally vertical direction in order to hook the panel 20 onto the mounting pin 14.

In this embodiment two of the recesses on the guard panel 20 are provided with a self-hooking latch mechanism 102 in connection therewith to form a pair of latched recesses 24a. Advantageously in the lower guard panel 20a a pair of latched recesses 24a are provided, one in each side portion 22 at an upper region of the side portions, and a pair of slotted recesses 24b, one in each side portion at a lower region of the side portions 22. Preferably the slotted recesses 24b in the lower guard panel 20a are each formed with a slot extending in an upwards direction, as can be seen in Figure 23.

The self-hooking latch mechanism 102 preferably comprises a hinged lever 32 having a pair of hook portions 34a and 34b, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 31, that hook onto one of the mounting pins 14 in the latched position. The hinged lever 32 is preferably pivotally mounted on a pivot 35 provided on a support bracket 104 of the self-hooking latch mechanism 102. Advantageously the hook portions 34 each have a cam surface 36 adapted to engage with one of the mounting pins 14 and to cause the hook portions 34 to ride over the mounting pin as the guard panel 20 is being installed on the support members 12, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 31. When the pin 14 first strikes against the cam surface 36 on the hook portions 34, the curvature of the cam surface 36 causes the hinged lever 32 to pivot upwards, as shown in Figure 31(b), and to ride over the mounting pin 14, until it drops onto the mounting pin in the latched position as shown in Figure 31(a).

Preferably the hinged lever 32 further comprises a release toggle 108 projecting sideways where it can be lifted with a finger or a tool to release the hinged lever 32 manually from the latched position to an unlatched position. Preferably the hinged lever 32 further comprises a lock mechanism 40 adapted to lock the hinged lever 32 in the latched position. In this embodiment the lock mechanism 40 also comprises a locking bolt 42. However in this embodiment, a distal end of locking bolt 42 extends into a space between hook portions 34, and is adapted to engage with the mounting projection 14, when the locking bolt 42 is moved to a locked position (see Figure 41). Typically the locking bolt is a screw-threaded bolt 42 which is moved to the locked position by screwing the bolt 42 through a threaded aperture 106 provided in the support bracket 104. In the locked position the distal end of the locking bolt 42 extends into the space between hook portions 34, until it engages with the mounting projection 14, pulling the hook portions 34 onto the mounting projection 14. This prevents the hinged lever 32 from pivoting upwards on pivot 35, as shown in Figures 30(a) and 41. Figures 30(b) and 31 show the locking bolt 42 in the unlocked position.

As noted above, each side portion 22 typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 22 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position. Each bracket 22 has a right-angle profile as can be seen most clearly in Figure 29(a) and 29(b), with a front web 50 that rests on a front face of the mesh 25 of panel 20, and a side web 52 that rests on an end face of the mesh 25 of panel 20. The front web 50 has hook portions 54 that hook onto a first vertical wire of the mesh 25, as shown in Figures 29(a) and 29(b), and locking tabs 56 that lock the bracket 22 onto a second vertical wire of the mesh 25, as shown in Figures 29(c) and 29(d). Each locking tab 56 is secured to the front web 50 with a rivet 58, as shown in Figures 29(d) and 29(e).

A principal difference between this embodiment of the guard panel system 100 and the previous embodiment is the manner in which the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 is provided in connection with the latched recess 24a on the right angle bracket 22. In this embodiment, the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 is provided as a separate component that is attached to the right angle bracket 22. Figures 29(f) to 29(j) illustrate a sequence of steps typically involved in assembling the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 onto the right angle bracket 22. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 29(f), the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 comprises a support bracket 104 on which the hinged lever 32 is pivotally mounted on the pivot 35. The release toggle 108 projects sideways from the hinged lever 32, and is used to release the hinged lever 32 manually from the latched position to an unlatched position in use. A threaded aperture 106 is provided in the back of the support bracket 104 (see Figure 29(g)).

When assembling the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 onto the right angle bracket 22, the threaded aperture 106 of the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 is aligned with a matching aperture 46 provided in the right angle bracket 22, as shown in Figures 29(f) and 29(g). A face plate 110 is then placed on the front web 50 of the right angle bracket 22, and two rivets 112 are used to fasten the face plate 110 and the support bracket 104 to the front web 50 of the right angle bracket 22, as shown in Figure 29(h). A final step, when it is desired to put the self-hooking latch mechanism 102 in a locked condition (with hinged lever 32 locked in the latched position), involves threading the locking bolt 42 through aperture 46 into threaded aperture 106, and tightening it until it interferes with free movement of the release toggle extension (see Figures 29(i) and 29(j)).

The guard panels 20 may be made of any desired size to suit the application for the guard panel system 100. Figure 35(a) illustrates three different sized panels 20a, 20b and 20c, 612mm, 908mm and 1212mm in height respectively. The three different sized panels 20 can be mixed and matched, as shown in Figure 35(b), to produce a barrier of any required height, using matching upright support members 12a, 12b, 12c, etc.

Advantageously the guard panel system 100 further comprises a safe release tool 60, as shown in Figures 36 and 37, for safely releasing a guard panel 20 from the upright support members 12, similar to the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 16 and 17.

Figure 38 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a side portion 72 attached to a guard panel 20 of the guard panel system of Figure 21. As with the third embodiment illustrated in Figure 29, each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 72 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position.

Figure 40 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a side portion 92 attached to a guard panel 20 of the guard panel system of Figure 21. As with the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 29, each side portion typically comprises an elongate right angle bracket 92 which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh 25 of guard panel 20 when viewed in an upright position. However in this embodiment the bracket 92 is formed in three sections 92a, 92b and 92c.

Now that preferred embodiments of the guard panel system have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the described embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(i) The guard panels of the preferred embodiments can be easily installed by one person, without any risk of injury; (ii) The guard panels are of simple design and can be manufactured at low cost and with minimal materials and cost-effective in labour; (iii) The self-hooking latch mechanism greatly simplifies the installation process, enabling substantially the full weight of the panels to be a carried by the slotted recesses during installation; and

(iv) The self-hooking latch mechanism can be readily locked in the latched position by screwing a locking bolt so that it engages with a portion of the latch mechanism to prevent it from pivoting.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, the upright support members needn't be of square cross-section, and can be of any suitable cross-section, such as a circular cross-section. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.

Claims

The Claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A guard panel for a guard panel system having first and second upright support members with a plurality of mounting projections provided thereon, the guard panel comprising:

2. A guard panel as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two of the recesses on the guard panel are provided with a self-hooking latch in connection therewith.

3. A guard panel as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hook portion has a cam surface adapted to engage with one of the mounting projections and to cause the hook portion to ride over the mounting projection as the guard panel is being installed on the support members.

4. A guard panel as defined in claim 3, wherein the hinged lever further comprises a release toggle projecting sideways where it can be lifted manually with a finger or a tool to move the hinged lever from the latched position to an unlatched position.

5. A guard panel as defined in claim 4, wherein the self-hooking latch mechanism further comprises a lock mechanism including a locking bolt adapted to lock the hinged lever in the latched position.

6. A guard panel as defined in claim 5, wherein the locking bolt is a screw threaded bolt which is moved to a locking position by screwing the bolt through a threaded aperture provided in connection with the self-hooking latch mechanism.

7. A guard panel as defined in claim 6, wherein in the locked position a distal end of the locking bolt engages with the mounting projection, pulling the hook portion onto the mounting projection.

8. A guard panel as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a sheet of mesh, and each side portion comprises an elongate right angle bracket which is attached to a respective vertical edge of the sheet of mesh when viewed in an upright position.

9. A guard panel as defined in claim 8, wherein each bracket has a right angle profile with a front web that rests on a front face of the mesh, and a side web that rests on an end face of the mesh.

10. A guard panel as defined in claim 9, wherein each bracket is provided with hook portions that hook onto a first vertical wire of the mesh, and locking tabs that lock the bracket onto a second vertical wire of the mesh.

11. A guard panel as defined in claim 10, wherein each hook portion and locking tab is formed as an integrated component, which is secured to the front web with a rivet.

12. A guard panel as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein there are four recesses, two provided in each side portion, at least one of the recesses comprising a slotted recess in which one of the mounting projections is received.

13. A guard panel as defined in claim 12, wherein the slotted recess is shaped so that once the mounting projection is fully received in the recess it hooks the panel onto the mounting projection.

14. A guard panel as defined in claim 13, wherein in order to receive the mounting projection fully in the slotted recess the panel has to be moved in a generally horizontal direction first, then in a generally vertical direction in order to hook the panel onto the mounting projection.

15. A guard panel as defined in claim 8, wherein the guard panel is also provided with top and bottom portions along respective horizontal edges of the sheet of mesh when viewed in an upright position.

16. A guard panel as defined in claim 15, wherein each top and bottom portion comprises an elongate right angle bracket which is attached to a respective horizontal edge of the sheet of mesh.

17. A guard panel system comprising:

18. A guard panel system as defined in claim 17, wherein the guard panel is one of a plurality of guard panels.

19. A guard panel system as defined in claim 17, the system further comprising a safe release tool for safely releasing a guard panel from the upright support members.

20. A guard panel system as defined in claim 19, wherein the tool has four legs, two legs being provided at each end of an elongate body portion.

Dated this 2 0 th day of April 2023

CADDS Group Pty Ltd

by its Patent Attorneys WRAYS