GB2291920A

GB2291920A - Safety rail mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2291920A
Application number: GB9415340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Robertson Sneddon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-29
Filing date: 1994-07-29
Publication date: 1996-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-29
Also published as: GB2291920B; GB9415340D0

Abstract

A rail (1), for example a safety rail for a roof, is mounted on a free edge of a structure, for example a wall (53), in a manner which avoids the need to erect scaffolding from ground level to the roof. The method comprises the steps of securing a plurality of clamps (9, 11, 13) around the free edge of the structure, attaching an upright post (3), for example by means of a socket (7), to each of the clamps, and securing a rail (1) between adjacent upright posts (3). The clamps may comprise a bar (9) with two securing posts (11, 13) which extend generally perpendicularly to the bar on either side of the structure and may be adjustable towards and away from the structure. The posts may be provided with lateral ends (15, 21) which may also be adjustable with respect to the structure and may incorporate at their free ends a plate (17, 25). Securing means, for example a pin (43, 45), may be used to prevent movement of the clamps with respect to the structure when in use to secure a rail. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF MOUNTING A RAIL The present invention relates to a method of mounting a rail to an free edge of a structure, for example the free edge of an upstanding structure such as a parapet wall or the free edge of a horizontal structure such as a floor in a multi-storey building.

When working above ground floor level in buildings, for example on the roofs of buildings, it is generally necessary, for safety reasons, to erect scaffolding around all or part of the building in order to provide a safety rail so as to reduce the likelihood of workers falling of f the roof or the like. It is very time consuming and expensive to erect scaffolding from ground level to roof level, particularly for high buildings, merely to provide a safety rail for workers on the roof and there is therefore a demand for a more cost-effective method of providing such a safety rail.

Many roofs are provided with a free edge in the form of a parapet, wall or like structure which extends wholly or partly around the building and which stands above the level of the lower edge of the roof. Similarly, when constructing multi-storey buildings, each floor generally has a free edge.

It is an object of the present invention to take advantage of such a free edge to provide a method of mounting a rail, for example a safety rail for a roof or a floor level, which does not require scaffolding and which is therefore more cost-effective without compromising the safety of workers on the roof of the like.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of mounting a rail, for example a safety rail for a roof or the like, to a free edge of a structure, which method comprises the steps of: securing a plurality of clamps around the free edge of the structure; attaching an upright post to each of said clamps; and securing a rail between adjacent upright posts.

Each clamp may comprise a bar provided with two securing posts which extend generally perpendicularly to the bar on either side of the structure, at least part of at least one of which posts is adjustable towards and away from the structure to secure the clamp thereto. The bar may be provided with a socket for receiving the upright post.

Alternatively, one of the securing posts may be provided with a socket for receiving the upright post. The socket may be detachable from the remainder of the clamp to facilitate positioning of the socket at any suitable position. The securing posts may be adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bar. At least one of the posts may be adjustable laterally relative to the bar.

In one embodiment of the clamp, one of the securing posts is provided with a lateral leg which carries at the free end thereof a plate for engaging with one side of the structure and the other securing post is provided with a threaded bar which is threaded to the securing post and rotatable relative thereto, the threaded bar carrying a plate for engagement with the other side of the structure, the arrangement being such that rotation of the threaded bar moves the plate carried thereon towards or away from the structure. The plate carried by the threaded bar is preferably mounted in a manner which permits rotation of the plate relative to the threaded bar. The plates may each engage with the structure by way of a resilient member. The resilient member may be secured to the respective plate.

The securing posts may be mounted on the bar by way of a bracket which permits movement of the securing posts in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bar. Each respective securing post may extend in a slidable manner through a tube forming part of the respective bracket. The securing post may be secured to the respective bracket by way of a pin passing through the tube and the securing post. The pin may be provided with locking means. Each securing post may be provided with means preventing removal of the respective post from the tube.

One of the brackets may be mounted on the bar in a manner which permits lateral movement of the bracket, and thus the respective securing post, relative to the bar. The bar may extend in a slidable manner through a tube forming part of the bracket. The bracket may be secured to the post by way of a pin passing through the bar and the tube. The pin may be provided with locking means. The bar may be provided with means for preventing removal of the bracket therefrom.

Resilient packing may be provided between each clamp and the free edge of the structure.

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 a side elevational view of one embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the method of mounting a rail in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevational view, to a different scale, of a modification of one part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the method of mounting a rail in accordance with the present invention Figures 1 and 2 show the general arrangement of an apparatus in the form of a clamp for carrying out the method of mounting a rail in accordance with the present invention.As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a safety rail 1 which extends generally horizontally and which may comprise, for example, a conventional scaffolding pole, is connected to an upright post 3, for example another scaffolding pole, by any suitable means such as a bracket 5.

The upright post 3 is received in a socket 7 or the like and may if desired be secured therein by any suitable means such as a nut welded to the socket 7 and a bolt 8 threadingly engaged with the nut and able to extend laterally into the socket 7. The socket 7 is secured, for example by welding, to a bar 9 which is shown in Figure 1 as being generally horizontal and which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Bar 9 is in turn secured to two posts 11 and 13, which are shown in Figure 1 as being generally upright, in a manner which permits adjustment of both posts 11, 13 (upwardly and downwardly as shown in Figure 1) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bar 9 and which permits adjustment of the post 13 in the axial direction of the bar.Post 11 is provided at its lower end as shown in Figure 1 with a lateral leg 15 which is provided at its free end with a plate 17, for example 100 mm square. Post 13 is provided at its lower end as shown in Figure 1 with a threaded member, for example in the form of a fixed nut 19, which carries a threaded bar 21. Threaded bar 21 is provided, at that end thereof which is remote from the post 11, with a handle 23 for turning the threaded bar 21 relative to the fixed nut 19 so as to adjust the position of a plate 25 which is mounted at that end of the threaded bar which is closest the post 11 by means which permits relative rotation between the plate 25 and the threaded bar 21. Plate 25 may be, for example, 100 mm square. As can be seen from Figure 2, the plate 17 and the plate 25 preferably oppose one another so as to minimise any turning moments in the apparatus.

Bar 9 may be made, for example, of 40 mm square hollow section mild steel or aluminium and is provided at that end thereof which will be adjacent the post 11 with a bracket 27 for receiving the post 11 in an adjustable manner. To this end, bracket 27 comprises a plate 29 which is secured to the bar 9, for example by welding, and an tube 31, for example of 50 mm square hollow section mild steel or aluminium, which is secured to the plate 29, for example by welding. Tube 31 is provided in the lower region thereof as shown in Figure 1 with a through hole and post 11 is provided with a plurality of through holes, three being shown in Figure 1, the purpose of which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Towards that end of the bar 9 which will be adjacent the post 13, the bar 9 is formed with a plurality of through holes 33, for example five holes spaced at 100 mm intervals. Mounted on the bar 9 is a bracket 35, similar to the bracket 27, and comprising a plate 37 and a tube 39, the bracket being secured, for example by welding, to a tube 41, for example of 50 mm square hollow section, which is slidably mounted on bar 9. Tube 41 is formed with a through hole to receive a pin 43 which has an enlarged head (not shown) so as to prevent the pin passing entirely through the hole. Pin 43 passes through part of tube 41, through one of the through holes 33 formed in bar 9 and through the other part of tube 41 in order to prevent relative movement, after installation, between bar 9 and tube 41.Pin 43 is secured in place by any suitable locking means, such as locking pin 45, to prevent pin 43 falling out or being accidentally removed. The free end of bar 9 is provided with a plate 47, for example secured by welding, which is dimensioned so as to be at least the same as the external dimensions of the tube 41, for example 60 mm square, so as to prevent the tube 41 being removed from the bar 9.

Post 11 is slidably received in tube 31 but is secured in place during installation in order to prevent relative movement between post 11 and tube 31 by means of a pin 43 and locking pin 45 as described above. In order to prevent post 11 being removed from, or falling out of, the tube 31, the upper end of post 11 as shown in Figure 1 is provided with a plate 49, for example secured by welding, which is dimensioned so as to be at least the same as the external dimensions of tube 31, for example 60 mm square. Post 13 is slidably received in tube 39 but is secured in place during installation, preferably with the post 13 extending to substantially the same length as the post 11, in order to prevent relative movement between post 13 and tube 39 by means of a pin 43 and locking pin 45 as described above.

In order to prevent post 13 being removed from, or falling out of, the tube 39, the upper end of post 13 as shown in Figure 1 is provided with a plate 51, for example secured by welding, which is dimensioned so as to be at least the same as the external dimensions of tube 39, for example 60 mm square.

In use of the apparatus in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an upright structure, such as a parapet wall 53, is required. In the absence of the safety rail 1 and upright posts 3, the length of the posts 11 and 13 of a clamp is first adjusted, by sliding the posts within their respective tubes, so that for safety reasons the plates 17 and 25 will engage the wall 53 in the lower region thereof. The pins 43 and locking pins 45 are inserted to prevent further upright adjustment of the posts. The clamp is then mounted on the free edge of the wall 53, with resilient packing (not shown) positioned between the underside of the bar 9 and the top of the wall 53 if desired. Such packing may comprises any suitable resilient material such as wood or rubber.The lateral position of the post 13 is then adjusted relative to the bar 9 to bring the posts 11 and 13 as close as possible to the wall 53. When the post 13 has been adjusted the pin 43 and the locking pin 45 are inserted to prevent further movement.

Resilient packing may be inserted between the respective plates 17 and 25 and the wall 53 to enhance friction between the plates and the wall. Suitable materials include wood and rubber. However, as an alternative (not illustrated), a resilient material, such as wood or rubber, may be secured to the plates 17 and 25 to facilitate installation of the clamp.

The clamp is then secured to the wall 53 by rotating the handle 23 so as to move the plate 25 towards the wall.

Because relative rotation is permitted between the threaded bar 21 and plate 25 there is no tendency for plate 25 to rotate relative to the wall.

As many clamps as may be required are secured to the wall 53 at suitable spaced locations in a manner similar to that described above. Once the clamps are in place, the lower ends of the upright posts 3 may be inserted into the sockets 7, and secured if desired, and the safety rail 1 may be secured in any conventional manner to the upper ends of the posts 3.

The rail and the clamps are removed by first removing the rail 1, then the upright posts 3, and finally the clamps are released by rotating the handle 23 so as to move the plate 25 away from the wall 53.

According to the modification shown in Figure 3, the socket 7 is not secured directly to the bar 9, but is secured, for example by welding, to a saddle member 55. The bar 9 is provided with a number of additional through holes 33 and saddle member 55 is provided with a through hole 57.

Saddle member 55 is secured to bar 9 at any convenient one of the through holes 33 by passing a pin 59 through the through hole 57 and securing the pin 59 in place with a locking pin 61. Pin 59 may be attached to saddle member 55, for example by means of a chain 63, to prevent the pin 59 being mislaid.

The modification shown in Figure 4 not only employs the additional through holes 33 in the bar 9 and a saddle member 55 to mount the socket 7, but additionally the length of the post 13 is increased beyond the threaded bar 21 and is provided with at least one through hole on that side of the post 13 remote from the bar 9. The effect of this modification is significant in that it permits the apparatus to be used in the orientation of Figure 1 as well as the orientation of Figure 4. Use in the orientation of Figure 1 has been described above, but the apparatus is used in the orientation of Figure 4 to mount the apparatus along the edge of a concrete floor 53 or the like with the bar 9 in an upright position and the handle 23 above the level of the floor. Once the apparatus has been secured to the floor, in the absence of the socket 7 and saddle 55 if desired, the saddle 55 can be secured to the post 13 in the same manner as it would be secured to the bar 9 in the embodiment of Figure 3 and the upright post 3 is secured in the socket 7. Safety rail 1 is then secured in any conventional manner to the upper ends of the posts 3.

Removal of the apparatus shown in Figure 4 is simply a reversal of the installation process described above.

Thus, when working upon a roof or a multi-storey building, the present invention avoids the need to erect scaffolding from ground level, to roof level if necessary, merely to provide a safety rail. The invention therefore allows considerable savings of time and expense. However, the invention is not restricted to such use and finds application wherever it is desired to mount a rail to a structure having suitable access.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a rail to a free edge of a structure, which method comprises the steps of: securing a plurality of clamps around the free edge of the structure; attaching an upright post to each of said clamps; and securing a rail between adjacent upright posts.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each clamp comprises a bar provided with two securing posts which extend generally perpendicularly to the bar on either side of the structure, at least part of at least one of which posts being adjustable towards and away from the structure to secure the clamp thereto.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the bar is provided with a socket for receiving the upright post.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein one of the securing posts is provided with a socket for receiving the upright post.

5. A method according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the socket is detachable from the remainder of the clamp to facilitate positioning of the socket at any suitable position.

6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the securing posts are adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bar.

7. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the posts is adjustable laterally relative to the bar.

8. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein one of the securing posts is provided with a lateral leg which carries at the free end thereof a plate for engaging with one side of the structure and the other securing post is provided with a threaded bar which is threaded to the securing post and rotatable relative thereto, the threaded bar carrying a plate for engagement with the other side of the structure, the arrangement being such that rotation of the threaded bar moves the plate carried thereon towards or away from the structure.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the plate carried by the threaded bar is mounted in a manner which permits rotation of the plate relative to the threaded bar.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the plates each engage with the structure by way of a resilient member.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the resilient member is secured to the respective plate.

12. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the securing posts are mounted on the bar by way of a bracket which permits movement of the securing posts in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bar.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein each respective securing post extends in a slidable manner through a tube forming part of the respective bracket.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the securing post is secured to the respective bracket by way of a pin passing through the tube and the securing post.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the pin is provided with locking means.

16. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein each securing post is provided with means preventing removal of the respective post from the tube.

17. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein one of the brackets is mounted on the bar in a manner which permits lateral movement of the bracket, and thus the respective securing post, relative to the bar.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the bar extends in a slidable manner through a tube forming part of the bracket.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the bracket is secured to the post by way of a pin passing through the bar and the tube.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the pin is provided with locking means.

21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the bar is provided with means for preventing the removal of the bracket therefrom.

22. A method for mounting a rail to a free edge of a structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.