GB2367320A

GB2367320A - A safety rail assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2367320A
Application number: GB0024028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Graham Pimlott; Elaine Pimlott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-29
Filing date: 2000-09-29
Publication date: 2002-04-03
Also published as: GB0024028D0

Abstract

A portable rail assembly 10 to prevent passers-by from falling down a hole in the ground next to a building, for example an open trap door to a public house cellar, comprises a frame 11 of an inverted "U"-shape, which includes two downwardly extending legs 12, the upper and lower parts of each leg being connected to one another such that each leg is moveable between a first folded position and a second extended position. Extending from either side of the frame 11 are two rail members 13, the ends of which can be provided with a hook 15 adapted to be received by a wall mounted catch. Each rail member 13 is pivotally attached to the frame 11 such that they are pivotable to a substantially horizontal storage position.

Description

A RAIL ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a rail assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable rail assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable rail assembly, which, in use, can be erected adjacent a hole in the ground, for example, the entrance to a cellar, thereby assisting to prevent any accidents arising as a result of a person falling down the hole.

Most public houses are provided with cellars within which barrels of beer are stored.

Generally, access to such cellars is gained via a trap door that is usually located adjacent an exterior or external wall of the public house.

As will be appreciated, due to the location of such trap doors, that is, they are usually located on pavements and other public walkways adjacent public houses, accidents can arise if a passer-by does not notice that the trap door is open. In particular, it has been known for a passer-by to inadvertently stumble over an opened trap door and fall into the cellar below.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable rail assembly, which, in use, can be erected adjacent a hole in the ground or adjacent the trap doors of a cellar, the portable rail assembly being provided with at least two rail members, the ends of which are abuttable against an exterior wall located adjacent the hole or trap door.

It is believed that a portable rail assembly in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above. In particular, it is believed that a portable rail assembly in accordance with the present invention will reduce the likelihood of any accidents arising as a result of a person inadvertently falling through an open trap door (s) into the cellar of a public house. That is, and as the portable rail assembly is visible and can act as a barrier, it can assist with the prevention of the occurrence of accidents of this type. Additionally, it is believed that for the first time the present invention provides a portable one piece rail assembly which is readily erectable and hence, easy to use. Furthermore, it is believed that for the first time the present invention provides a portable rail assembly that can be utilised in conjunction with most goods handling devices, for example, see the goods handling device of our GB Patent No. 2314544, which, in use, assist with the lifting and lowering of heavy items, such as beer barrels, from and into a cellar.

A non-limiting embodiment of a portable rail assembly in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable rail assembly in accordance with the present invention when associated with a goods handling device; and Figure 2 is a side view of the portable rail assembly of Figure 1 when collapsed for storage purposes.

As illustrated, a portable rail assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a frame 11 of inverted"U"-shape, which includes two downwardly extending legs 12 and support struts 16.

With reference to Figure 2, the upper and lower parts of each leg 12 are connected to one another via a hinge 17 such that each leg 12 is moveable between a first folded position and a second extended position. Preferably, each leg 12 is lockable in both the folded and extended positions.

This arrangement has the advantage in that when not in use, the legs 12 can be folded thereby reducing the size of the frame 11. As will be appreciated, this reduces the amount of space required to store the portable rail assembly 10, that is, when same is not being used. In an unillustrated embodiment, the legs 12 are telescopic such that they are moveable between a first fully extended position, that is, in use, and a second shortened position, that is, when not in use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the legs 12 are received and hence, releasably retained by the base 21 of a goods handling device 20, preferably of the type that is the subject of our UK Patent No. GB 2314544. Alternatively, it is to be understood that the ends of the legs 12 may be of sufficient area to enable the frame 11 to be free standing, that is, when the legs 12 are fully extended. Alternatively, and although not illustrated, it is to be understood that the lower part of the frame 11 may be provided with a supporting base with which the legs are integral, or within which the legs 12 may be releasably retained.

The top or horizontal portion of the frame 11 is provided with a handle 14, which, in use, facilitates with the lifting of the portable rail assembly 10 from one location to another.

Extending from either side of the frame 11 are two rail members or arms 13. As illustrated, and in situ, the ends of the rail members 13 abut against an external or exterior wall 30, which is located adjacent the trap doors 31 to a cellar 32 of a public house such that the portable rail assembly 10 in conjunction with the exterior wall 30 surround the trap doors and hence, entrance to the cellar. Preferably, the ends of each, or at least one, rail member 13 is provided with a hook 15 adapted to be received by a wall mounted catch. Preferably, and as illustrated, each, or at least one, of the rail member (s) 13 is pivotally attached to the frame 11. The advantage of such an arrangement is twofold. The first is that, and as illustrated in Figure 3, when not in use, the rail members 13 are pivotable to a storage position whereby they are located substantially parallel to the frame member 11. In this connection, it is preferable that each leg 12 of the frame member 11 is provided with a clip member for releasably retaining each rail member 13 in its storage position. The second advantage is that as the rail members 13 are pivotal, the distance of the frame member 11 to the exterior wall 30 can be varied such that a portable rail assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention can be utilised to surround the entrance to different cellars where the distance and/or width of the cellar opening to the adjacent exterior wall differs. That is, by opening the arms 13 out, the distance between the frame member 11 and external wall can be altered. Further preferably, the arms 13, or at least one arm 13 are/is telescopic or adjustable in length. This has the advantage in that the distance of the frame member 11 to the exterior wall 30 can be varied such that a portable rail assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention can be utilised to surround the entrance to different cellars where the distance of the cellar opening to the adjacent exterior wall differs, i. e. it has more utility.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example to a portable rail assembly for use in surrounding the entrance to a cellar, such entrance being located adjacent an external or exterior wall of a public house, it is to be understood that same can be utilised to surround any entrance to a lower level or can be utilised to surround any area to be avoided. Additionally, it is to be understood that each arm may be connectable, preferably pivotally connectable, to at least one other rail member, such that the portable rail assembly in accordance with the present invention can be utilised to surround a hole or area without having to do so in conjunction with a wall.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable rail assembly, which, in use, can be erected adjacent a hole in the ground or adjacent the trap doors of a cellar, the portable rail assembly being provided with at least two rail members, the ends of which are abuttable against an exterior wall located adjacent the hole or trap door.
2. A portable rail assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inverted U-shaped supporting frame comprising an upper portion and two downwardly extending support legs, the at least two rail members being mounted on and being supported by the supporting frame
3. A portable rail assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each downwardly extending support leg comprises an upper and a lower portion, said upper and lower portion of each leg being pivotally joined to one another by hinge means such that each leg is moveable between a first folded position and a second extended position, each leg being lockable in either the folded or extended position.
4. A portable rail assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each downwardly extending support leg is telescopically moveable between a first shortened storage position and a second extended use position.
5. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each rail member has connection means at a distal end thereof adapted to be receivable in a corresponding receiving means mounted on the exterior wall.
6. A portable rail assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connection means of each rail member comprises a hook adapted to be received in a corresponding wall mounted catch.
7. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each rail member is telescopically extendable between a shortened storage postion and a fully extended position.
8. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two rail members are provided, one extending from each side of the supporting frame adjacent an upper end thereof.
9. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein each rail member is pivotally connected to the supporting frame and is movable between a folded storage position, wherein the rail member is substantially parallel with the upper portion of the supporting frame, and an extended use position, wherein the rail member extends substantially perpendicularly from said upper portion of the supporting frame.
10. A portable rail assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein each rail member is provided with releasable retaining means for retaining the rail member is its folded storage position.
11. A portable rail assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the releasable retaining means of each rail member comprises a clip member engageable with a corresponding receiving member mounted on the supporting frame.
12. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a further rail member releasably connectable to the distal ends of the at least two rail members.
13. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the lower ends of the downwardly extending legs of the supporting frame are adapted to be received by or in receiving means on the body of a load handling device.
14. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any of claim 2 to 12, wherein the lower ends of the downwardly extending legs of the supporting frame are of sufficient area to enable the supporting frame to be free standing.
15. A portable rail assembly as claimed in any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the lower end of the downwardly extending legs of the supporting frame are formed integrally with or are releasably connectable to a supporting base member.
16. A portable rail assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings