EP2516773B1

EP2516773B1 - Protective rail support

Info

Publication number: EP2516773B1
Application number: EP10787129.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Neil Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-23
Filing date: 2010-12-07
Publication date: 2014-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-07
Also published as: ES2464518T3; GB0922470D0; EP2516773A1; WO2011076559A1

Description

This invention relates to a protective rail support which can be used, for example, to provide a protective handrail around a stairwell, opening or the like in a building that is under construction.
During the early part of construction of a multi-storey building it is conventional to fix pre-cast concrete floors into position and to form openings to allow for the construction of stairways. Although scaffolding and other measures for the protection of workers are provided externally of the building to prevent accidental falls, there is generally no similar protection around unguarded stairways and open areas. Scaffolding is generally provided after some delay, for example of 1 to 3 days, but there is always pressure to progress with the construction of the building, often at considerable risk to the workers. There is therefore a need for a protective rail support which can readily be erected around stairwells, openings or the like by an on-site worker without the need to wait for skilled off-site workers. Such a protective rail support would eliminate the need for skilled off-site workers and result in cost savings as a result of eliminating delays and the use of skilled workers, while at the same time substantially reducing the risk of a fall or other accident which could result in a claim for compensation.
DE 29 10 325 which discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1 describes a reusable holder for protection, such as safety railings, on construction sites and consisting of rod-shaped support means for attachment to safety areas such as the handrail of a safety area. In the region of the lower end of the support means there is provided a clamping device including two relatively movable clamping jaws.
US 3 881 698 describes a safety guardrail support which comprises first and second hollow vertical members, the second member being received in the first. A first clamp member is secured to the lower end of the first vertical member and a second clamp member is secured to the lower end of the second vertical member. Upper and lower reinforcing assemblies extend from the lower ends of the first and second hollow vertical members respectively and are slidably engaged at a location spaced from the vertical members. A threaded rod extends within the first vertical member and threadedly engages the second vertical member whereby the turning of the threaded rod causes the second clamp member to be raised or lowered in order to secure the apparatus on the open edge of the floor section of a building structure and concomitantly the lower reinforcing assembly slidably engages the upper assembly thereby supporting and reinforcing the support structure.
FR 2 913 040 discloses a circulation zone support for protecting a building and which has parts for fixing wall and circulation plates, respectively, and other parts serving as middle rail and rail support and protection board and as fixation for concrete slab, respectively.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protective rail support which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the above-described problem.
According to the present invention there is provided a protective rail support comprising: a clamping mechanism including a first elongate member provided with first and second assemblies, the first and second assemblies each including means for engaging with a separate support surface, the engaging means being laterally offset from an axis of the first elongate member, at least one of the first and second assemblies being adjustable in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the first elongate member for clamping the rail support to at least one of the surfaces, the second assembly including a third elongate member arranged substantially parallel to the first elongate member and secured thereto; and rail support means extending from the clamping mechanism for supporting at least one protective rail, wherein the second assembly includes a fourth elongate member movable in an axial direction of the third elongate member, and a substantially planar member for engaging the first of the support surfaces and mounted on the fourth elongate member by way of a first pivotal connection so as to allow the substantially planar member to pivot relative to the fourth elongate member.
The first assembly may include a second elongate member arranged substantially parallel to the first elongate member, a spacer member connecting the second elongate member to the first elongate member, and a substantially planar member for engaging the other of the support surfaces. The first assembly may include means for adjusting the spacer member in the axial direction of the first elongate member. The adjusting means may include a plurality of apertures extending through the first elongate member and spaced in the axial direction of the first elongate member, an aperture extending through the spacer member, and removable securing means passing through the aperture through the spacer member and one of the apertures through the first elongate member to secure the spacer member to the first elongate member by way of a selected one of the apertures through the first elongate member. The second elongate member may be secured to the spacer member by way of a screw thread.
The first pivotal connection may allow pivoting about a single axis or may include a ball and socket joint. The fourth elongate member may be movable in an axial direction of the third elongate member by way of an axial slot formed through the third elongate member and removable securing means passing through one of a plurality of axially spaced apertures formed through the fourth elongate member, the removable securing means being movable along the length of the slot by adjusting means mounted on the third elongate member so as to urge the substantially planar member towards the first of the support surfaces. For example, the adjusting means may be threaded on the third elongate member.
The first pivotal connection allows the rail support to be mounted on a stairway.
The rail support means may be mounted on the clamping mechanism by way of a second pivotal connection. The second pivotal connection may be releasably securable at a number of relative positions. The second pivotal connection may include opposed conical members which are relatively movable by handle means to lock the second pivotal connection in position. In such a case, the second pivotal connection may include biasing means urging the conical members towards an unlocked configuration. Such a second pivotal connection allows the rail support means to be arranged upright when the rail support is mounted on a stairway. Alternatively, the rail support means may be formed with an angle at a lower end thereof when the rail support is to be mounted on a stairway.
The rail support means may include further clamping means for clamping a protective rail to the rail support means. A single further clamping means may be provided for clamping two spaced protective rails to the rail support means. Alternatively two separate further clamping means may be provided for clamping two spaced protective rails to the rail support means.
Thus the protective rail support according to the present invention can be employed as a restraint on parapets, between floors and on stairwells in place of conventional scaffolding. It eliminates the need for specialist personnel to visit the site where the support is to be employed to erect and install conventional scaffold railings and can in general be installed by a single worker without the need for specialist training and equipment.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a protective rail support according to the present invention;
Figures 2 to 7 show parts of the protective rail support of Figure 1 in more detail;
Figure 8 shows the protective rail support of Figures 1 to 7 in use in a stairwell;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a protective rail support according to the present invention;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of part of the protective rail support shown in Figure 9; and
Figure 11 shows the protective rail support of Figures 9 and 10 in use.

The protective rail support shown in Figures 1 to 7 comprises an elongate member in the form of a generally upright tube 1 which is provided with a laterally offset clamping mechanism and with means for supporting a rail. The clamping mechanism comprises a lower assembly and an upper assembly, each of which is laterally offset from an axis of the tube 1.
The lower assembly includes a lateral spacing member 3 which is provided with a first tubular portion at one end thereof which passes over the tube 1 and is secured to the tube 1 by way of a pin (not shown) or the like passing through apertures formed in both the tube 1 and the tubular portion of the spacing member 3. As shown in more detail in Figure 7, the tube 1 is provided with an array of apertures 5 to allow the spacing member 3 to be secured in a range of different positions to facilitate clamping to a range of floor or other constructions. The other end of the spacing member 3 is provided with a second tubular portion which receives an upwardly directed tubular member 7 which is provided with a plate 9 or the like for engaging with an underside of the floor or other construction. The tubular member 7 is secured to the second tubular portion of the spacing member 3 in any suitable way, for example by welding or by way of a screw thread. The length of the tubular member 7 may be such as to ensure the tube 1 and tubular member 7 are able to fit around an edging, such as a wooden edging, of the floor or the like.
The upper assembly comprises a forked receiving member 11 having an angled portion receiving an angled upper end of the tube 1 and an upright portion receiving a mounting tube 13 for an assembly adapted to engage with an upper surface of the floor or the like. The tube 1 and the mounting tube 13 may be secured to the receiving member 11, for example by welding. As shown in more detail in Figure 3, the mounting tube 13 is provided with a pair of opposed upright slots 15 and with a rotatable member 17 threaded on the outer surface of the mounting tube 13. Rotation of the member 17 causes it to move in the axial direction of the tube 13. The member 17 can take any suitable form and may, for example, be provided with portions to act as one or more handles and/or apertures for receiving a bar or the like with which to turn the member 17. The assembly engaging with the mounting tube 13 is shown in more detail in Figure 2 and comprises an upright tube 19 which is provided with a plurality of apertures positioned along the length of the tube and with a plate 21 which is connected to the upright tube 19 by way of a pivotable mounting 23. The pivotable mounting may pivot about a single axis as shown or it may be, for example, a ball and socket mounting. The upright tube 19 is mounted within the mounting tube 13 by means of a pin which passes through a selected pair of apertures in the upright tube 19 and through the slots 15 formed in the mounting tube 13. The plate 21 can be moved towards the floor by rotating the rotatable member 17 in a first direction so as to clamp the protective rail support to the floor by moving the plate 21 towards the plate 9 such that the plates engage opposite faces of the floor as shown in Figure 1.
The pivotal mounting 23 is important because it allows flexibility in the use of the protective rail support as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.
If desired, one or both of the plates 9 and 21 may be bolted to the floor for additional security, although this is generally not necessary. Although the plates 9 and 21 are shown as being substantially planar, one or both of the plates may take a different form if desired. For example, the upper plate 21 may be provided with upstanding edges along opposing or all four sides in order to restrict the access of screed to the top of the plate.
The receiving member 11 is provided with means for supporting a rail, including an upwardly extending rail support 25 which is connected to the receiving member 11 by way of a securable pivotable member 27, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter. In the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6 the pivotable member 27 is secured with coaxial upper and lower connections. As shown in Figure 6, the rail support 25 is provided with bolts 29 which are releasably secured to a clamping member 31 which in use clamps rails 33, 35 between the clamping member and the rail support in order to hold the rails in position. If desired, the single clamping member shown may be replaced by separate clamping members, one for each rail.
The components of the protective rail support according to the present invention are ideally made of steel, or aluminium if weight is a particular consideration.
The protective rail support shown in Figures 1 to 7 may be modified in a number of ways.
For example, the length of the upwardly directed tubular member 7 may be varied. For example, it may be shorter than shown in Figures 1 and 7. Alternatively, the spacing member 3 may bear against a wall rather than the underside of a floor or the like. In this case, the plate 9 will require to be secured to the wall in order to support the lower end of the upright tube 1.
The manner in which the upright tube 1 is secured to the mounting tube 13 can be varied. For example a spacer member can be employed rather than the receiving member of Figure 1. The upright tube, however, is to be laterally offset relative to the mounting tube, while the mounting tube is ideally substantially with the tubular member 7, where provided.
Clearly, the pivotal mounting 23 and the securable pivotable member 27 are not required where the protective rail support is only to be used with floors.
Although Figures 1 to 7 show the protective rail support according to the present invention in use with a substantially horizontal floor, as shown in Figure 8 the protective rail support can be adapted to work with stairwells, where the pivotable mounting 23 and the securable pivotable member 27, where provided, allow the provision of a stair rail. As shown in Figure 8, the lower plate 9 bears against the inclined underside of a flight of stairs, while the upper plate 21, by way of its pivotal mounting 23, bears against the substantially horizontal surface on one of the steps with an edge of the plate 21 bearing against an upright wall forming an adjacent step so as to prevent lateral movement as a result of the clamping forces. The rail support 25 is upright as a result of manipulation of the securable pivotable member 27, allowing the rails 33, 35 to be installed in the manner of conventional stair rails.
If desired, the securable pivotable member 27 and the rail support 25 may be replaced by a single rail support which is angled in the lower region thereof such that the upper region of the rail support is upright, while the lower region engages with the receiving member 11.
In addition to providing a rail, the protective rail support according to the present invention can be used in conjunction with conventional scaffolding poles to close off the entire lateral opening of a stairwell. In this case, with the rail supports arranged around the stairwell, scaffolding poles are secured to the rail supports to extend horizontally across the gap formed by the stairwell. The gap can then be closed with conventional scaffold boards.
The protective rail support shown in Figures 9 to 11 is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 7 and the same references are used to denote the same or similar parts. In the protective rail support shown in Figures 9 to 11 the receiving member 11 and the angled portion of the upright tube 1 have been replaced by a simple upright tube 1 and a bridging member 37. In addition, the securable pivotable member 27 has been replaced by an alternative design shown in more detail in Figure 10 which shows opposed conical members 39, 41 which are urged into a locking position by a rotatable handle 43 against the biasing force of a coil spring 45.
Figure 11 shows the protective rail support of Figures 9 and 10 in use.

Claims

A protective rail support comprising: a clamping mechanism including a first elongate member (1) provided with first and second assemblies (3, 7; 11, 13), the first and second assemblies each including means (9, 21) for engaging with a separate support surface, the engaging means being laterally offset from an axis of the first elongate member, at least one of the first and second assemblies being adjustable in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the first elongate member for clamping the rail support to at least one of the surfaces, the second assembly including a third elongate member (13) arranged substantially parallel to the first elongate member (1) and secured thereto; and rail support means (25) extending from the clamping mechanism for supporting at least one protective rail (33, 35), characterised in that the second assembly (11, 13) includes a fourth elongate member (19) movable in an axial direction of the third elongate member (13), and a substantially planar member (21) for engaging the first of the support surfaces and mounted on the fourth elongate member by way of a first pivotal connection (23) so as to allow the substantially planar member to pivot relative to the fourth elongate member.
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first assembly includes a second elongate member (7) arranged substantially parallel to the first elongate member (1), a spacer member (3) connecting the second elongate member to the first elongate member, and a substantially planar member (9) for engaging the other support surface.
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first assembly includes means (5) for adjusting the spacer member (3) in the axial direction of the first elongate member (1).
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adjusting means includes a plurality of apertures (5) extending through the first elongate member (1) and spaced in the axial direction of the first elongate member, an aperture extending through the spacer member (3), and removable securing means passing through the aperture through the spacer member and one of the apertures through the first elongate member to secure the spacer member to the first elongate member by way of a selected one of the apertures through the first elongate member.
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the second elongate member (7) is secured to the spacer member (3) by way of a screw thread.
A protective rail support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first pivotal connection (23) allows pivoting about a single axis.
A protective rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first pivotal connection (23) includes a ball and socket joint.
A protective rail support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fourth elongate member (19) is movable in an axial direction of the third elongate member (13) by way of an axial slot formed through the third elongate member and removable securing means passes through one of a plurality of axially spaced apertures formed through the fourth elongate member, the removable securing means being movable along the length of the slot by adjusting means (17) mounted on the third elongate member so as to urge the substantially planar member (21) towards the first of the support surfaces.
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adjusting means (17) is threaded on the third elongate member (13).
A protective rail support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rail support means (25) is mounted on the clamping mechanism (11) by way of a second pivotal connection (27).
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second pivotal connection (27) is releasably securable at a number of relative positions.
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the second pivotal connection (27) includes opposed conical members (39, 41) which are relatively movable by handle means (43) to lock the second pivotal connection in position.
A protective rail support as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second pivotal connection (27) includes biasing means (45) urging the conical members (39, 41) towards an unlocked configuration.
A protective rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rail support means (25) is formed with an angle at a lower end thereof when the rail support is to be mounted on a stairway.
A protective rail support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rail support means (25) includes further clamping means (29, 31) for clamping a protective rail (33, 35) to the rail support means.