GB1572015A - Safety apparatus for breaking falls - Google Patents

Description

('4) SAFETY APPARATUS FOR BREAKING FALLS (71) We. SEINE & LYS. a French Bodv Corporate of S. rue de 1'Abbé Bonpain.

WERVICQ-SUD. Nord. France. do herebv declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed. to be particularly described in and by the follow ing statement: The present invention relates to a safety apparatus intended particularly but not Cx- elusively to break the fall of persons work ing on the construction of buildings.

In the matter of protection. it is known that there are two different main types of safety apparatus. namely those affording individual protection wherein one person is attached bv means of a belt or safety harness to fixed points on the construction. and means which afford protection collectively to a number of persons who are free to move about. The present invention relates to safetv apparatus of the second tvpe.

It is known practice to provide. around buildings in the course of construction. nets which are able to break the fall of a person who falls from the building under construction as a result of a false step. In one particular known arrangement. a net is stretched between an upright. secured to the building. and supporting brackets. This is not completely satisfactory in that the net is not fully capable of absorbing the kinetic energy of a falling body instantaneously.

consequently. if the fall is stopped. the sudden deceleration that the bodv undergoes may cause lesions of vital organs. On the other hand. when the net vields. there arises the daneer of the bodv striking the uprights. cross-members and braces which support the net. and this results in injurious impacts.

The object of the present invention is to provide a safety apparatus which possesses great flexibility so as to absorb resiliently the impact of a free-falling body without causing anv harmful effect on the organism of the person whose fall in broken. Another object of the invention is to provide a safety apparatus which avoids the use of anv supporting members that are disposed in the trajectory of the bodv or below the net and within the working space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means which is reliable and easy to fit and dismantle.

According to the invention there is provided safety apparatus for fitting to a building for breaking falls. comprising at least two uprights arranged in use to be secured to the wall of the building and a flexible sheet which is kept stretched laterally between the uprights and between at least two resilient flexible members which simultaneously support the flexible sheet from the uprights and tension the sheet.

Also according to the invention there is provided safety apparatus for fitting to a building for breaking falls, comprising a flexible sheet which in use is stretched between at least two uprights secured to the wall of the building and the ends of at least two arcuate brackets the brackets being made of a flexible material which simul taneouslv supports and tensions the sheet.

The idea underlving the invention is that of breaking falls by a combination of elements forming the safety apparatus and not, as previously, by the sheet alone. The safety apparatus is self-tensioning due, on the one hand. to its shape, and, on the other, to the materials used therein.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawngs.

wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety apparatus in accordance with the invention: Figure 2 is a side view, in section, of the means of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view showing how the net is fitted; Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement for mounting the safety apparatus of a second embodiment designed more particularly to be used when the roof of the building over-hangs the wall to a considerable extent; Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment which enables a walkwav to be provided; Figure 6 illustrates the Figure 5 embodiment secured to a building: F4i'itre 7 is a front view of the safety apparatus of Figures 5 and 6: Figure 8 is a view of a slightly modified safety apparatus fitted on a higher building; and Figures 9a and 9b are views of fixing heads used in the safety apparatus.

Referring to Figure 1. uprights 1 are secured to the face of a building 2 under construction or repair. At the top each of the uprights 1 has an arm 3. and a tube 4.

hereinafter also referred to as the inner tube. is linked to each of the arms 3.

Threaded on to the tube 4 are rings 5 which enclose both the tube 4 and a side-rope of a net 7. At the other side of the net 7. rings 5 connect the side-rope 6 to an outer tube 8.

The outer tube 8 is mechanically connected bv heads 9 to arcuate brackets 10. These brackets are connected at their other ends to brace-rods 11 integral with the uprights 1.

Although a net is the preferred form of flexible sheet. it will he appreciated that it is possible to use a fabric. which may be resilient, a trellis. a grid or any other bodv of sheet-like form.

It will be seen that. with the exception of the uprights which are made of heat-treated metal. this safety apparatus does not incorporate anv moving metallic parts (links.

compensating springs. etc). The parts that are active in supporting and tensioning the sheet are inert to the atmosphere and.

consequently. are very resistant to the effects of weather. Furthermore. thev are light in weight and this greatly facilitates their transportation. assembly and use. The arcuate brackets 1() are advantageously constituted hv tubing made of corrosionresisting polyester resin reinforced with glass fibre which confers upon the tubing the required bending and tensile strength. Preferablv each tube is enclosed in a cloth.

tape. sleeve or any jacket made of fibres that do not become separated or fray. It will be understood however that anv other material having similar mechanical properties can be used for these arcuate brackets each of which may be constituted bv a plurality of tubes operating in parallel.

The inner tube 4 and the outer tube 8 are advantageously made of the same material as the arcuate brackets.

The uprights 1 and the arcuate brackets 10 can be fitted at intervals of 2 to 3 metres for example.

To quote an example, satisfactory results have been obtained with tubes having a diameter of 2.8 cm in a safety apparatus designed to break the fall of a bodv weighing 100 kg falling from a height of 6 metres.

Figure 2 shows that each upright 1 is secured to the wall 2 at a single anchoring point 13, and this permits slight lateral displacement of the uprights when a fall is being broken.

The lower end of the arcuate bracket 10 is fitted in a hollow arm 11 linked to the upright 1 at 15. tension being achieved by means of a stay 12 hinged at 14 on the same upright 1, this bolt bearing on the arm 11 and being locked in position by a screw 17.

Here. the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 are used.

In order to show more clearlv the movement that takes place when a fall is being broken. the positions of the elements are shown in dash-dot lines: when a falling body hits the net 7. the latter sags and pull the upper ends 9 of the arcuate brackets 10 towards the wall. The safety apparatus.

under the effect of the impact. first assumes the shape illustrated at 7" and 10" and then.

under the effect of the resilience of the arcuate brackets. it assumes a final position 7' and 10' after passing through different intermediate positions. When this is happening. each brace-rod and its stav.

although linked to each other. are locked.

the links not being operative when a fall is being broken. but only when the equipment is being fitted.

Figure 3 shows how the net 7 is fitted between the inner tube 4, itself supported by the arms 3 of the uprights 1. and the outer tube 8. As previously stated. these two tubes have a certain degree of resilience so that they co-operate with the protective means as a whole in absorbing impacts. The side-ropes 6 of the net are connected to the tubes by the rings 5 which are. for example.

made of plastics materal of suitable strength. The side-ropes mav be formed. for example. by a polyamide cord secured to the net bv means of conventional ties made of braided nvlon. The net itself can be made of braided material having a breaking strength corresponding to an elongation greater than 18%.

The heads 9 may be polyamide mouldings, for example. which enable the arcuate brackets and outside tube to be fitted together. To facilitate transportation. the outer tube 8 is advantageously made up of a number of lengths which can be connected in line by means of the heads 9. The inner tube may also be made up of a number of pieces of the same length as the pieces forming the outer tube. which pieces are fitted together by means of tubular parts 16 ".hitch fonn sockets for the lengths of tube and co-operlte with the arms 3 on the uprights 1: The safety apparatus can be fitted in an extremely simple manner: the uprights are secured to the wall of the structure by means of, for example. bolts secured in previouslv formed holes 13. The inner end of each of the arcuite brackets is introduced into the hollow arms in the unlocked condition. The net is spread out on the grond. the inner tube 4 is fitted into the rings 5 on the net and. in the case where this tube is made up of a number of lengths. tubular joints 16 are placed opposite the uprights.

Similarly, the outer tubes 8 are threaded into the rings : of the net and are clamped in the heads 9. The assemblv is then straight- ened and adjusted. and first the tubes are secured on the fittines provided on the uprights. Downward pressure is then applied to the tubes forming the arcuate brackets 1() and this brings into position and locks the arms which are locked with the aid of the screws 17. The safety apparatus is then ready to break any accidental falls.

Dismantling is carried out in the reverse order.

The safet! apparatus in accordance with the invention does not interfere with the movement ot workmen operating at or near the top of the building.

As seen more clearly from Figure 2, the net 7 is preferably downwardly inclined towards the inside. this arrnnpement being made possible by the use of a suitable length of the tubes forming the arcuate brackets.

The purpose of this arrangement is to prevent a person who has fallen from being thrown outwards during rebound following flexure of the arcuate brackets.

The design of the elements for supporting the net enables the lower part of the building structure to be kept clear in a satisflctorv manner. thus ensuring good working conditions.

The method of assembling the inner and outer supporting tubes also makes it possihle to provide protective means of a length suited to the perimeter of the building by the use of standard elements having a length of between three antl five metres for ex ample Incidentallv. the net for protecting falling persons also affords protection for people below against objects falling from the upper part ot the building.

What has heen said relates mainly to the breiking ot X vertical falls resulting in the occurrence of inipicts in a direction subston- tiallv perpendicular to the net. The forces involved are different in the case where the direction of impact is inclined to the surface of the flexible sheet and, in particular. in the case of falls from roofs under construction or repair.

The safety apparatus now to be described permits falls from roofs to be broken. By temporarily folding the flexible sheet it becomes possible to move materials past this protective means without difficultv.

The flexible sheet in this embodiment is preferablv inclined from the vertical at an angle of between 15 and 45 . The impact is absorbed in the same conditions as before bv the sheet as well as bv the flexible supports from the sheet. This safety apparatus thus complements the previously described embodiment, and increases the safety of workers on the site. The arrangement to be described can be fitted below the outer edges of roofs. whereas the previously described means can be positioned on the end or front faces of the building.

Thus, referring to Figure 4. a bracket 11 is secured bv means of nuts and bolts to an upright 1 solidly attached to the wall 13a of the building by wav of an anchoring point formed in the wall. The upright 1 and the wall 13a are overhung by the roof 12.

As will be seen from Figure 4. the bracket 11 can be fitted at different levels thus enabling the position of the net to be varied to suit the slope of the roof and the extent to which the roof overhangs the wall. The net 7 is stretched between two horizontal tubes held in position at the top by fixing heads 9a and at the bottom by fixing heads 9b. Each fixing head 9a is secured to an assembly of two parallel flexible rods 10. onlv one of which is seen in the drawing. Each head 9b is secured to the upper sides of the bracket 11. The method of securing the net will be described later.The flexible rods 1() are held in position by being introduced into sockets 22 solidlv connected to the bracket and inclined Írom the horizontal. The net 7 is able to bear against the lower portion of the roof, thus closing off the space above the upper portion of the net.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third arrangement which permits a walkwav 23 to be provided on the top of the brackets 11. This arrangement is of particular interest for enabling work to be carried out below the slope of the roof. A workman can then carry out his work while supported directly on the walkwav 23. In contrast to the second method of fitting the safety apparatus, the heads 9b in the present case are mounted on flexible rods 1() in a manner similar to that used for the heads 9ct. The net 7 is still stretched across the space defined by the horizontal tubes secured at the top by the heads ')a and at the bottom bv the heads 9b.

As will be seen more clearly from Figure 7. the supports for the net are formed by assemblies of two rods 10 in the vertical direction and by a lower tube 4 and an upper tube 6 in the horizontal direction. It will be appreciated that the use of two flexible rods 10 results from practical considerations taking into account the forces to be withstood.

It would, of course. be possible to replace the two rods 1() bv a single rod of greater diameter. The rods 10 and the tubes 4 and 8 are interconnected bv moulded parts made of polyamide for example. The net 7 terminates at the top and bottom in side-ropes 6 on which are secured rings 5 which are threaded over the upper tube 8 and the lower tube 4. On the left of Figure 7 it will be seen that the horizontal tubes extend a short distance bevond the corresponding heads 9, and this ensures that the net is secured in position by sliding rings 5a over these extensions.When work on the site makes it desirable to be able to afford passage to materials to be used for constructing or repairing roofs. the area defined by the rods 10 and the tubes 4 and 8 can be readily opened up by pulling gentlv on the rings 5a so as to disengage them from the extensions 4a and 8a and bv sliding the net on the rings 5 towards the opposite end. The net is returned to its position by reversing this movement.

Figure 8 illustrates an arrangement of the same tvpe as that described by reference to Figures 5 and 6, but designed to be used on a higher building than the previous ones: in the Figure 8 arrangement each end of the walkwav is closed off bv means of a net 24 which is stretched between the pair of rods 10 located at each end of the walk and an upright 16 which is secured to the upright 1 bv anv suitable means. Thus. the space defined hv the end nets. the main net and the walkway is completely enclosed.Each net 14 simply performs the function of a safetv barrier and does not contribute to the fall-breakiny movement although it is displaced when this movement takes place.

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a fixing member or head 9 which permits the joining of tubes that extend in perpendiclar directions. In Figure a. the tube 4. for example.

or the tube X extends perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. whereas the tubes 10, shown in broken lines. are seen in the plane of the drawing. After the tubes have been fitted in the head 9. the latter is closed and locked bv means of nuts and bolts 15. Figure 9b is a plain view of the member illustrated in elevation in Figure 9ci, and in Figure 9b.

the tubes 10 are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. whereas the tube 4 is seen in the plane of the drawing. The fixing heads illustrated are generally disc-shaped but it will be understood that anv other means can be used to join the perpendicular tubes together. the shape of the joining means being immaterial.

This supplementary safety means thus enables an efficient safety barrier and a walk to be combined for use on a structure. the roof of which overhangs the wall to only a slight extent. Also, to some extent it prevents building materials from falling to the ground. The tubes 10. 4 and 8 are advantageously made of fibre-glass reinforced resin.

The assembly of the safety apparatus in accordance with these embodiments is extremely simple.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 the uprights are secured to the wall of the structure by means of bolts fitted in previously formed holes with the aid of bushes provided at a prefabrication stage. or of any other suitable means. Then the brackets 11 are secured to the uprights bv bolts at a height which will depend upon the problem that has to be dealt with.

The vertical tubes are then fitted in the sleeves 22 of the brackets. The horizontal tubes 4 and 8 are then fitted through all the net rings with the exception of the end rings.

Following this. the horizontal tubes are connected to the vertical tubes bv means of the heads 9a. 9b. Thereafter. the assemblv is adjusted by causing it to pivot about the bolts connecting the brackets to the uprights. The upper part of the each bracket is then secured to an upright by a second set of bolts, and the net is stretched by sliding its rings along the horizontal tubes. The end rings 5a (Figure 7) are fitted on the exterior of the fixing heads 9 so as to prevent the net from sliding accidentally. If more than one horizontal tube is present in each run. these are interconnected by means of tubular sockets, the number of horizontal tubes in a run depending upon the size of the building.

The walkway is then placed on the brackets and the safety apparatus is then ready to perform its safety function.

In a case such as that illustrated in Figure 8 where the safety apparatus is to be used at a high level. it is advantageously assembled on the ground and brought to the required height by means of a suitable machine such as a crane. The fixing of the uprights to the building should be carried out bv fitters who gain access to the area beneath the eaves either from within the building or on the exterior thereof. Finally. the walkway is placed on the brackets. Dismantling is carried out in exactlv the reverse order of the operations described.

It will be seen that the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 can be changed over to that shown in the following Figures in a very simple manner. since all that is required is to remove the fixing heads 9b and to fit them on the flexible tubes 10.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   assemblies of two rods 10 in the vertical direction and by a lower tube 4 and an upper tube 6 in the horizontal direction. It will be appreciated that the use of two flexible rods 10 results from practical considerations taking into account the forces to be withstood.

   It would, of course. be possible to replace the two rods 1() bv a single rod of greater diameter. The rods 10 and the tubes 4 and 8 are interconnected bv moulded parts made of polyamide for example. The net 7 terminates at the top and bottom in side-ropes 6 on which are secured rings 5 which are threaded over the upper tube 8 and the lower tube 4. On the left of Figure 7 it will be seen that the horizontal tubes extend a short distance bevond the corresponding heads 9, and this ensures that the net is secured in position by sliding rings 5a over these extensions.When work on the site makes it desirable to be able to afford passage to materials to be used for constructing or repairing roofs. the area defined by the rods 10 and the tubes 4 and 8 can be readily opened up by pulling gentlv on the rings 5a so as to disengage them from the extensions 4a and 8a and bv sliding the net on the rings 5 towards the opposite end. The net is returned to its position by reversing this movement.

   Figure 8 illustrates an arrangement of the same tvpe as that described by reference to Figures 5 and 6, but designed to be used on a higher building than the previous ones: in the Figure 8 arrangement each end of the walkwav is closed off bv means of a net 24 which is stretched between the pair of rods 10 located at each end of the walk and an upright 16 which is secured to the upright 1 bv anv suitable means. Thus. the space defined hv the end nets. the main net and the walkway is completely enclosed.Each net 14 simply performs the function of a safetv barrier and does not contribute to the fall-breakiny movement although it is displaced when this movement takes place.

   Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a fixing member or head 9 which permits the joining of tubes that extend in perpendiclar directions. In Figure a. the tube 4. for example.

   or the tube X extends perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. whereas the tubes 10, shown in broken lines. are seen in the plane of the drawing. After the tubes have been fitted in the head 9. the latter is closed and locked bv means of nuts and bolts 15. Figure 9b is a plain view of the member illustrated in elevation in Figure 9ci, and in Figure 9b.

   the tubes 10 are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. whereas the tube 4 is seen in the plane of the drawing. The fixing heads illustrated are generally disc-shaped but it will be understood that anv other means can be used to join the perpendicular tubes together. the shape of the joining means being immaterial.

   This supplementary safety means thus enables an efficient safety barrier and a walk to be combined for use on a structure. the roof of which overhangs the wall to only a slight extent. Also, to some extent it prevents building materials from falling to the ground. The tubes 10. 4 and 8 are advantageously made of fibre-glass reinforced resin.

   The assembly of the safety apparatus in accordance with these embodiments is extremely simple.

   In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 the uprights are secured to the wall of the structure by means of bolts fitted in previously formed holes with the aid of bushes provided at a prefabrication stage. or of any other suitable means. Then the brackets 11 are secured to the uprights bv bolts at a height which will depend upon the problem that has to be dealt with.

   The vertical tubes are then fitted in the sleeves 22 of the brackets. The horizontal tubes 4 and 8 are then fitted through all the net rings with the exception of the end rings.

   Following this. the horizontal tubes are connected to the vertical tubes bv means of the heads 9a. 9b. Thereafter. the assemblv is adjusted by causing it to pivot about the bolts connecting the brackets to the uprights. The upper part of the each bracket is then secured to an upright by a second set of bolts, and the net is stretched by sliding its rings along the horizontal tubes. The end rings 5a (Figure 7) are fitted on the exterior of the fixing heads 9 so as to prevent the net from sliding accidentally. If more than one horizontal tube is present in each run. these are interconnected by means of tubular sockets, the number of horizontal tubes in a run depending upon the size of the building.

   The walkway is then placed on the brackets and the safety apparatus is then ready to perform its safety function.

   In a case such as that illustrated in Figure 8 where the safety apparatus is to be used at a high level. it is advantageously assembled on the ground and brought to the required height by means of a suitable machine such as a crane. The fixing of the uprights to the building should be carried out bv fitters who gain access to the area beneath the eaves either from within the building or on the exterior thereof. Finally. the walkway is placed on the brackets. Dismantling is carried out in exactlv the reverse order of the operations described.

   It will be seen that the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 can be changed over to that shown in the following Figures in a very simple manner. since all that is required is to remove the fixing heads 9b and to fit them on the flexible tubes 10.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

   1. Safety apparatus for fitting to a building for breaking falls, comprising at least two uprights arranged in use to be secured to the wall of the building and a flexible sheet which is kept stretched laterally between the uprights and between at least two resilient flexible members which simul taneously support the flexible sheet from the uprights and tension the sheet.

   2. Safety apparatus for fitting to a building for breaking falls. comprising a flexible sheet which in use is stretched between at least two uprights secured to the wall of the building and the ends of at least two arcuate brackets the brackets being made of a flexible material which simultaneously supports and tensions the sheet.

   3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2. wherein the flexible sheet is a net having ropes along opposite sides and which carry rings that can be slid along tubes which are horizontal in use the ends of the net being secured by fitting end rings onto the ends of the tubes.

   4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein the brackets are made of glass-fibre reinforced polyester resin.

   5. Apparatus according to Claim A.

   wherein each arcuate bracket is formed bv a single tube.

   6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or Claim 5. wherein each arcuate bracket is fitted between a fixing head associated with the flexible sheet. and a lockable arm associated with an upright.

   7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein the uprights are arranged to be secured to the wall of the buildings by a single anchoring point.

   S. Apparatus according to Claim 1.

   wherein the sheet is connected to the uprights by means of resilient rods.

   9. Apparatus according to anv one of the preceding claims. characterised in that the length of the arcuate brackets is such that in use the flexible sheet slopes down wardly and inwardly towards the building from the horizontal.

   l( > . Apparatus according to Claim 9.

   wherein the flexible sheet is secured in use near the lower end of the roof and extends downwardly and inwardlv at an angle of between 15- and 45- from the vertical.

   11. Apparatus according to Claim 10.

   wherein the flexible sheet is stretched bv means of two horizontal tubes held in fixing members respectivelv at the top of each upright and at the top of each of the flexible rods.

   12. Apparatus according to Claim 10.

   wherein a walkway is secured on top of the brackets.

   13. Apparatus according to Claim 10.

   including a safety barrier for closing off each end of the space formed between the flexible sheet and the building.

   14. Safety apparatus for fitting to a building for breaking falls. substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.