GB2365479A

GB2365479A - Safety apparatus for a platform

Info

Publication number: GB2365479A
Application number: GB0112733A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Mulholland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-27
Filing date: 2001-05-25
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-25
Also published as: GB0112733D0; GB2365479B; GB0012901D0

Abstract

A safety apparatus to prevent workmen from falling through the loading opening of a scaffolding platform 10, comprises an access restricting assembly pivotally mounted 14 on a frame 11, for movement between a first and second position, restricting access to respective ends 10a, 10b of the platform. The assembly comprises a guard plate 15 which blocks first end 10a in the first position of fig 1b and a transverse guard bar joining the free ends of arms 18a which obstructs access to second end 10b in the second position of fig 3b while loading takes place at the first end.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Safety Apparatus for a Platform The present invention relates to safety apparatus for a platform (such as a loading area), used particularly, but not exclusively, for scaffolding loading areas.

Scaffold constructions commonly have a loading area for loading goods (such as bricks) on to the scaffold for use in building works that are being undertaken. The loading areas are generally elevated areas on the scaffold and the loading area has at least one "open" end which is not obstructed by cross struts of the scaffolding. It is found that the loading operation can be dangerous because of the lack of cross struts in the loading area; the cross struts help prevent workmen from falling from the scaffolding.

Conventional safety apparatus for a platform (such as a loading area) comprises one or two outwardly opening gates which, when in the open position can

allow goods to he loaded and when in the closed position act to secure the "open" end of the loading area to prevent workmen from falling from the scaffolding. However, this conventional apparatus is often left permanently in the open position rendering it useless in preventing a workman falling from the scaffolding. Also, when the gates are open, when goods are being loaded, there is nothing to prevent a workman from entering the loading area, which could lead to the workman falling from the scaffolding through the "open" end of the loading area.

Conventional gates are also unsafe because in order to open and close the gates, it is necessary for a workman to lean out of the "open" end of the loading area to reach the gates.

It is one object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the disadvantages of conventional safety apparatus for platforms (such as a loading areas) by preventing access to the loading area when goods are being loaded, and providing a barrier over the "open" end of the loading area when goods are not being loaded, thus maintaining a safe working environment in the loading area before, during and after loading.

According to the present invention, there is provided safety apparatus for a platform, the platform having first and second ends and a frame associated with respective sides of the platform and

generally positioned between said first and second ends, the safety apparatus comprising an access restricting assembly pivotally mounted on the frame, said access restricting assembly moveable between a first position wherein access to the first end of the platform is restricted and access to the second end of the platform is permitted, and a second position wherein access to the second end of the platform is restricted and access to the first end of the platform is permitted.

Preferably, the access restricting assembly includes a guard panel which restricts access to the first end of the platform.

Preferably, the access restricting assembly includes a guard bar which restricts access to the second end of the platform.

Preferably, the guard bar is also adapted to be used as a handle to move the access restricting assembly between the first and second positions.

Preferably, the guard panel is connected to the handle through a connecting arm.

Preferably, the connecting arm is pivotally connected to the frame and movement from said first position to said second position is pivotal movement around said pivotal connection.

Preferably, the access restricting assembly further includes holding means which hold the access restricting assembly in the second position. Preferably, the access restricting assembly is adapted to be folded into a generally flat orientation for storage and transportation. Preferably, the platform and frame form part of a scaffolding construction.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. la, lb and 1c show schematic plan, elevational and end views respectively of the safety apparatus of the present invention in a first position; Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c show schematic plan, elevational and end views respectively of the safety apparatus of Figs la, lb and Ic, in an intermediate position; Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c show schematic plan, elevational and end views respectively of the safety apparatus of Figs la, Ib and 1c, in a second position; and Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the safety apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated safety apparatus for a platform 10, the platform having first and second ends loa and lob respectively and a frame 11. The platform is in the form of a loading area (being part of a scaffold construction) generally used to receive a load of building materials such as bricks. The frame is generally formed of scaffold rods.

The safety apparatus includes an access restricting assembly 12 which is pivotally mounted through pin 14 (one on either side of the platform) to the frame 11.

The access restricting assembly 12 comprises a guard plate 15 which has two connecting arms 16a and l6b orthogonally connected at first ends to each corner of one end of the guard plate 15.

The access restricting assembly 12 further comprises a guard bar 17 which is generally "U"-shaped and orthogonally attaches at each end of said "U" to the second end of each connecting arm 16a, l6b. The assembly 12 of the guard plate 15, connecting arms 16a, l6b and guard bar 17 is generally "Z"-shaped in construction. The "U"-shape of the guard bar 17 has two legs 18a and l8b and a cross-bar 18c.

The cross-bar 18c is used as a handle with which to move the access restricting assembly between a first

position and a second position around the pivot pins 14.

When the access restricting apparatus is in the first position (as shown in Figs la to 1c), access to the first end loa of the platform 10 is restricted by the guard plate 15 but access to the second end lob of the platform 10 is permitted because the cross-bar 18c is positioned in an extreme position from the platform (this position should allow a workman to walk under the cross-bar 18c without being impeded).

Additionally, the guard bar 17 may be pivoted towards the guard plate 15 (as described below) such that the cross-bar 18c lies flush with the guard plate 15, thus allowing unimpeded access to the second end lob of the platform 10.

When the access restricting apparatus is in the second position (as shown in Figs 3a to 3c), access to the second end 10a of the platform 10 is restricted by the cross-bar 18c (which is positioned at approximately waist height) but access to the first end lob of the platform 10 is permitted because the guard plate 15 is positioned in an extreme position from the platform (this position should allow goods to be loaded onto the platform 10 without being impeded).

The restriction of access described above restricts workmen from accessing the loading area when goods

are being loaded and thus helps to prevent workmen from falling from the platform 10.

The safety apparatus described also protects workmen by providing a guard over the "open" area of the platform 10 when goods are not being loaded, thus helping to prevent workmen from falling from the platform 10.

When in the second position, the access restricting assembly 12 is held in place by way of holding means (such as pins) which are located one on each leg 18a and 18b. The pins connect the access restricting assembly 12 to the frame 11 thus holding the restricting assembly 12 in the second position until the assembly 12 is required to be moved to the first position. In the first position the assembly 12 remains static, without the need for holding means. However, holding means could be provided, if desired.

The joints between the guard plate 15, the connecting arms 16a, 16b and the guard bar 17 are pivotal connections but are held in orthogonal positions (as described above) by means of pins. However, these pins can be removed to allow the assembly 12 to fold substantially flat for storage and transportation. The assembly 12 can be held in the flat orientation by way of a bolt passing through the assembly 12.

The removal of the pins between the connecting arms 16a, 16b and the guard bar 17 also facilitates the pivotal movement described above which allows the cross-bar 18c to lie flush with the guard plate 15 when the access restricting apparatus is in the first position. Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the present invention could be used to secure any area having an elevated opening, where access is required to the area but where there is a risk of a person falling from the elevated opening.

Claims

Claims 1. Safety apparatus for a platform, the platform having first and second ends and a frame associated with respective sides of the platform and generally positioned between said first and second ends, the safety apparatus comprising an access restricting assembly pivotally mounted on the frame, said access restricting assembly moveable between a first position wherein access to the first end of the platform is restricted and access to the second end of the platform is permitted, and a second position wherein access to the second end of the platform is restricted and access to the first end of the platform is permitted.
2. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the access restricting assembly includes a guard panel which restricts access to the first end of the platform.
3. Safety apparatus as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the access restricting assembly includes a guard bar which restricts access to the second end of the platform.
4. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the guard bar is also adapted to be used as a handle to move the access restricting assembly between the first and second positions.

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
5. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the guard panel is connected to the handle through a connecting arm.
6. Safety apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting arm is pivotally connected to the frame and movement from said first position to said second position is pivotal movement around said pivotal connection.
7. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the access restricting assembly further includes holding means which hold the access restricting assembly in the second position.
8. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the access restricting assembly is adapted to be folded into a generally flat orientation for storage and transportation.
9. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the platform and frame form part of a scaffolding construction.
10. Safety apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.