GB2398100A - Personnel security barrier system - Google Patents

Abstract

A security and/or edge protection barrier apparatus and system for personnel protection on/in buildings, the system involving providing a plurality of barrier forming units (1) mountable upon support posts (2) located at predetermined spaced apart positions along a line along which it is required to provide the barrier system, and barrier support means (12) for enabling the temporary mounting of the barrier forming units (10 to the support posts (2) in such manner that they bridge adjacent pairs of such elements for the period for which protection is required.

Description

2398 1 00

PERSONNEL SECURITY BARRIER SYSTEM

This invention relates to security and edge protection barriers for personnel whilst working in the vicinity of an exposed/edge region of a building.

During the construction of buildings an/or the repair of buildings it is frequently necessary for work persons to be involved in construction and/or repair activities at exposed building locations such as may be present at or near where they are standing or working. Frequently such locations are adjacent to or otherwise very close to elevated edge regions of a building which edge regions are totally exposed thereby creating conditions for the occurrence of such work persons n falling over such edge regions or accidentally dropping tools or building materials that could injure any persons passing below or otherwise located beneath such an edge region.

Present day building regulations require that any such exposed area or region should be provided with a suitable barrier of such forth and construction as to satisfy all appropriate current building: working and safety regulations then in place.

One well known form of barrier provision involves the erection of a scaffolding/framework adjacent to the side walls of a building during building construction and/or subsequent repair/maintenance, to which scaffolding suitable barrier forming sheeting is mounted at those locations usually immediately adjacent to the exposed side regions of the building.

As is well known the erection of scaffolding is an expensive time consuming activity involving not infrequently several work persons and is additionally one which frequently intrudes upon ground areas surrounding the building. -?

Tt is an object of the present invention to provide a security and edge protection barrier apparatus and system for personnel of such nature that the apparatus and system can be used for varying applications Broadly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security and/or edge protection barrier apparatus and system for personnel protection on/in buildings, the system involving providing a plurality of barrier forming units mountable upon support posts located at predetermined spaced apart positions along a line along which it is required to provide the barrier system, and barrier support means for enabling the temporary mounting of the barrier forming units to n the support posts in such manner that they bridge adjacent pairs of such elements for the period for which protection is required.

Preferably, each post is removably mountable in an associated support member, and wherein the said support members are located at said predetermined spaced apart positions along said line along which it is required to provided the barrier 1 5 system.

Conveniently the support member includes a socket.

In a preferred construction the socket member includes a base part adapted to connection to a selected location security and/or edge protection barrier apparatus and system for personnel protection on/in buildings, the system involving 2n providing a plurality of barrier forming units mountable upon support posts located at predetermined spaced apart positions along a line along which it is required to provide the barrier system, and means for enabling the temporary mounting of the barrier forming units to the support posts in such manner that they bridge adjacent pairs of such elements for the period for which protection is 2 5 required.

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Broadly, according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier system for affording work person protection in relation to exposed locations of a building, the system including at least two socket members, for temporally receiving a barrier forming unit support posts, the socket members being adapted for attachment to a floor or other appropriate support surface of the building in spaced relationship along a predetermined direction of a said floor or support surface, with each such support post serving to positionally to locate an end of a barrier forming unit in such manner that each barrier forming unit serves to bridge the separation between to adjacent posts.

Preferably, each post includes an upper barrier forming unit support and connection member and a lower barrier forming unit connection member with at least one of said members providing a locking arrangement.

Preferably, the barrier forming units each includes a rectangular framework incorporating f rst and second side members maintained in spaced apart 1 5 relationship by upper and lower spacing members with the interior space between the side members being enclosed by mesh sheet or other means serving as the barrier forming means.

Preferably means are provided for closing in the lower parts of the barrier forming units in such manner as to form a wall for preventing displacement of articles 2 n through the said lower parts.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a highly schematic view of a barrier unit forming part of a protective barrier forming system mounted from support posts upstanding from a support floor; Figure 2 is a side view of the system of Figure I during the process of mounting a barrier unit to support posts; Figure 3 schematically illustrates the system of Figure I after a barrier unit has been installed on to its intended support posts, Figure 4 is a highly schematic view of a part of a protective barrier forming system mounted from support posts upstanding from a support floor the Figure 4 illustrating the mounting oftwo unit as mounted end to end; Figure 5 is a enlarged side view of a connection member for securing barrier units to their posts; n Figure 6 is a side view of a detail of the member of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an enlarged underside view of a further detail of the member of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a socket and and arrangement for coupling a lower end of a post to the socket; Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a detail of the arrangement of Figure 8 and; Figure 10 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a socket and arrangement for coupling a lower end of a post to the socket.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a barrier unit 1 is illustrated when supported at each 2 n end thereof by posts 2 that are themselves mounted in mounting sockets 3.

The barrier unit 1 comprises two end or side uprights 4 an upper rail 5 and a lower rail 6 conveniently welded together to provide a rectangular framework.

A unit reinforcing strip 7 is provided at each end of the unit and is slightly spaced inwards from the adjacent upright 4. These strips 7 provide additional strength to the overall structure particularly in situations when the barrier unit may be supported at locations other than immediately adjacent to an upright, that is inwardly spaced from the uprights 4.

In addition, the upper and lower rails 5 and 6 are each reinforced by an additional reinforcing rail 8 which as may be noted trom Figures 2 and 3 is inclined to the n plane of the unit. The particular purpose of these angled rails 8 is to give additional resistance of the unit to any loads that may be imposed upon the central region of the rails 5 and 6 and this between the uprights 4.

A second reinforcing rail 9 extends across the full width of the barrier unit below the upper rail 5 so as further to strengthen the unit A plate 10 effectively closes in, across the full width of unit 1, the lower part of the unit to form a so-called toe plate. In practice, this plate could be 225 millimetres in depth. The remainder of the frame unit is effectively closed in by mesh sheeting 11 The barrier units are intended to be removably mountable by the posts 2. For this 2n purpose the posts are provided with at least upper and lower barrier unit engaging and support members 12.

The construction of an embodiment of the connection and locking members 12 is illustrated in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7. It will be appreciated that other constructions could be used.

As shown the member 19 includes a rectangular section tube 13 secured at one end to the wall of the post 2 such that the tube 13 extends perpendicularly to the post 2 An elongate plate 14 is slidably located within the tube 13 and projects outwardly therefrom. An elongate slot 15 is formed in the plate]4. 'I'he plate 14 is retained in its slidable relationship within the tube 13 by a pin 16 that engages the slot 15 and which is secured in appropriate apertures 17 formed in the tube 13.

The shaping of the plate 14 in relation to the dimensions ot'the plate 14 and the slot IS therein allows the plate when in its fully extended position to pivot downwards with respect to the tube 13 and then to drop to a vertical setting which eft'ectively prevents the associated part of the barrier theme I mounted to the support member Tom displacing away from its connection to the post 2. Thus in practice this locking of the barrier iTame units to the posts prevents them from being undesirably disengaged from the posts 2. 'I'o remove a harrier frame unit from its mounting to a post 2 requires the plate 14 to be slightly lifted and pivoted to push the plate 14 rearwards into the tube 13 so that the body of the tube 13 holds the plate in the position shown in the Figures S to 7.

If desired the upper connection mernbcr 12 can be replaced by a hook arrangement. The latter including a horizontal plate that extends perpendicular to the post at to provide a support at the appropriate level for supporting the upper rail 5 of a barrier unit. The free end region of the plate is turned upwardly so as effectively to prevent a harrier unit engaged therewith from displacement from the post. It will be understood that to mount or remove a barrier unit the unit has to be lined so as to clear the inclined end region of the plate.

In practice, it is intended that the posts 2 should be mounted in the associated sockets 3 so that the barrier unit connection members 12 should face inwards that is away Tom the edge region it is desired to protect. With the posts so mounted the barrier frame units are suspended from the connection members 12. The dimensions of the connection members are such that they arc able to accept two such barrier units. With this facility the units when mounted can overlap thereby ensuring that gaps are not left between adjacent barrier units along the length of the region to be protected.

Figure 4 illustrates two side-by-side barrier units mounted from three posts. In other words the central post of the trio mounts two barrier units.

Whilst the Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the use of two attachment members to a post it will be appreciated that more such attachment members can be provided at other positions lengthways of the post. In practice, these additional members can be 1 n directed in the same sense as those indicated in the Figures or depending upon requirements in other directions. In practice, additional members can be provided to mount, hand rails, stay bars or further protection rails etc. In order to erect barrier units along a predetermined direction and location the socket units are secured at predetermined distances one from the other to a floor or other support 20 along a line along which it is desired to erect the barrier system. In practice, this inter-post separation distance can be regarded as a standard post spacing.

Each socket unit 3 includes a generally trusto-conical shaped base 21 adapted for securing to the floor or other support 20, and an upstanding tubular part 22 into an which it is intended to insert the lower end of a post 2.

The base 21 of the socket 3 is secured to the floor or other support 20 at which it is desired to provide the barrier system by means of a threaded spigot/stud 23 that has been inserted at the required spacing along the line along which the barrier system is to be installed. The studs project upwards above the upper surface of the floor 20 to define an upstanding threaded elements.

As will be discussed hereinafter the base 21 houses a threaded part, e.g., a nut that is so welded to the base 21 that it is able to be screwed onto the exposed part of the stud 23 until the base 21 and thus the socket 3 is firmly pulled into firm and secure contact with the floor 20.

Referring now to Figures 8 and these Figures illustrates in schematic cross section detail of a first embodiment of arrangements from securing a socket 3 to the ground 20.

As previously mentioned the socket 3 incorporates the base 21 and the tubular member 10 upstanding therefrom. The base has a frusto-conical wall 24 1 0 connection with a cap part 25 having a central through bore 26 through which the stud 23 is intended to project. A nut 27 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower side of the cap 25 in such position that it is coaxial with the through bore 26.

The tubular member lO is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed holes 1 5 1OA for locating a 'tommy bar' that is engageable in the holes for the purposes of' rotating the tubular member 10 and thus the nut 27 in such manner as cause it to engage with the stud 23 and to tighten the nut 27 onto the stud. This action pulls the socket 3 towards the floor 20 and ultimately securely holds the socket in its required position.

2n The lower end of the posts 2 that are intended to engage with the socket 3 are provided with a cylindrical open ended plug 28 the latter being secured to the post lower end as to be rigidly attached thereto. In practice the plug 28 is welded to the post lower end. Adjacent to the lower end of the plug 28 two diametrically opposed C-shaped plates 29,30 are secured to the plug 28. The mounting of these plates defines two diametrically opposite recesses or gaps 31 between the adjacent ends 32 of the plates. These recesses or gaps 31 are intended to provide the _g_ tamale aspects ot' a bayonet typic locling system The male aspects of'this bayonet loclvinL system are formed by provilinL; at appropriate locations lenL:th\vays ot'lhe socket tubular member 1() in\vartily projecting upper anti lo\ver axially spaced projections 33 'I'hese projeclioris can he forrnetl lay protincinL; inlenialions in the tubul.ir member ot'by providing of rivers, pins 39 or the like 99 in the \vall oi'the tubular member 1() 'I'he projections are arranged lo project into the interior ot' the tubular member sut'i'iciently t'or their inner ends to to enga:eable \vith the nntlersiLie ot' the C-pl.ites whilst allo\ving the plale.s \vlcn the g.rls 31 are nliL:netl \vitl the proicctions 31 to pass tlrougl' thc';;'ls 1 n 'I'lre upper ante io\ver proicclions 33 ctc, are angularly positionctJ at rigll anL;lcs to each other With this arranL;cment when the post lo\vcr end is introduced into a socket 3 that has been previously secured to the floor 2() the post during the insertion needs lo be rotated until a L;al1 31 in the plates aligns vilh the upper indentations 33 This positioning: allows the post lo move l'rrther info the tubular member 1() In view ol'tlie angular positioning ol'llie indentations ctc, it is necessary to rotate the post through a right angle to align a L:ap 31 with the lo\ver inLie''tation 33 so as to allow the post 2 to be entered l'ully into the socket 3 A further rotation of the post 2 then ensures that tile latter is firmly constraintti 2n against axial displacement lenL;thways ol'the tubular member 11) Once the post axial locking position has been reached the post can be rotated to position the locking; members lo in a retiuireJ position relative to the floor 9() In practice, the base is provided with means t'or indication the locations of the indentations etc. n second enhoclimcul ol'thc mounting: ova frost info a s,cliel is sclcnalically illustrated in l igure 1() In the emlotihcnt ol' this leisure a rotatable tubular unit is captive \vithin the s,cliet 3 This unit 35 includes upper and louver annular plates 36,37 tlat effectively santi\vich the central reL;ion ol'the socket calf part AS in such manner as to enable rotation hut not axial disphacement ol'the unit 35 relative to the socliel base 91 I'he unit 35 carries a nut 36 thul is intended lo screw onl, tlc stud 243 This unit 35 includes a hexagonal upper part 37 which is intended to the engaged by a f;rtlcr tubular member 38 having; a compicmenlary hexagonal lo\ver part 3') 1 n enL;aL;eable with the hexagonal part 37 ol'lhe tubular unit '[this t'urher tubular member 38 is provitieti a with diamcirically Opposer bores 1() tor locating a tommy bar' 'Alec arrangement is such that rotation ot'the tubular unit 35 by the tommy bar' screws the nut 36 onto the stud 'l'he external diameter ol'lhe lulular unit relative to the internal diameter ot'lhe soclvel lobular member l() is such lr.it clearance is provided for receiving the 1o\ver end of the least that is to be supported by the socket ()nce the unit 35 has been rotated sui't'icicntly t;,r the soclict to be l'inuly clan,pcJ to the floor 2() the l'hulur ember is rcmovetl to leave sluice tier reccivhL; lhc lower end of a suitable post 2n Since the post in this embodiment is t'ree to rotate in the soclcet a clamping: troll 4 l is provided i;,r locking the post in a desired orientation It will be understood that when positioning the socket 3 on the floor 20 it is necessary to ensure that the clamping; bolt 4 I i'aces away from the edge religion that the barrier system is intended to protect This requirement needs to observed when cramping the socket to the Door

Claims (1)

1. -1 1 - ('I.AIM.ti 1 A security anl/or edge Protection harrier apparatus

   and syslen tor personnel tecli)n on/in tiUilklings, the system i'v,lving providing a plurality ol harrier lorminL; units mouniatlc upon support posts localetl al preuiclerminci spaccJ upail posili,ns along; a line along \vlicli it is rerl'ired to provide tlc harrier systen und larrier support neans for enalling the temporary nounting ol the larrier forming: ruils to lle support losts in sucl nranner th;,l lley lritige aJjacenl pairs ol scl elements lor lle periotl lor \vhicl, proleclion is reluired A securily and/or edL;c prolcclion lurrier aplaralus anJ syslen as cluineti in n clain, 1, \vlercin eacl posl is rcnovally nouninbic in an associalcd supp,rl meinher, anti \\'llerein the saiti suppoll Incnhers are localed at sairi predelenninel spaced altar-l p,silions alone; said line al'ng vhich il is rcl'ireti ' provitiel llc barrier syslenn 3 A securily anti/or cdge lroleclion harrier apparal's anti syslen as clainleti in claim wherein Ihe sulillorl nenber inclles a soclel A securily anti/or Cti8C pr,tcction system.as claimel clain or wherein Ihe socliel ne'ber incluties a base parl atiaplel to conneclion lo a selecleti locati,n of a h'ikiinL: or a construction part for a h'iLling and an ulistandinL; trlllar elenent.rtfaltetl to r-eceive and locate the lover ent 1 a posl uss,cialcd 2p there\vith ante \vlerein tle tuh'lar element incorporates rncans lor retaininL; the post end within the tub''lar elenenl A securily ante/or etige 1lrotection syslem as claimed in clahn anti \vhercin the retaining nearis incorporates locking means svhereby when the post is set to a pretietennined orientation with respect to said line the post ent1 is locl;ed in said requred orentaton - 1 ? 6. A security and/or edge protection system as claimed in claim or 5, and \vherein the retaining uicans incorporates arrangements lair cl'f'ccting l'riclion locking; 7. A security ant'/or edge proleclion system as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, and wherein the retaining means includes a troll threatl ably enL; aging with the wall ot' the element and postlonalle so as to lee co- operable with tle post entl 8 A security anti/or chic protection system as clainctl in cl.'im -l, 5, or 7, arid in wlicl' the base is provitletl with means l'or lacililaling tle aliL;mnent of the associated socket will, resccl l'saitl line 1 n 9 A security and/or edge protection system as claimed in any one of claims to 8 and in chicle means are provided lor ensuring the relative positioning ol'Ihe post \vilh respect lo its associateti socket whereby the barrier support means carried lay the post are a'lomalically set lo a reluircd position \vith respect lo saitl line 10 A security anci/or edge protection syslen1 as claimed in any one ol'clainis to 9 and wherein the retaining means includes a lout threatl allay engaging with the wall ol'the socket mealier I 1 A h.irrier system for al'tortling worl; person protection in relation to exposeti locations ol'a building the system including al least two soclel members tor 2n temporally receiving a harrier l'orming; unit support posts the socket members heinL; adapted flier attachment to a floor or other appropriate support surface of the huildinL; in spaced relationship along a predetermined direction ova said floor or support surface with each such support post serving to positionally lo locate an end ova barrier forming unit in such manner that each barrier forming unit serves to abridge Ihe separation between lo ad jacenl posts 19 A seeurily antVor etige proteclion system as claimed in.rny one ol the preeedhL; claims anti \vherein the retaining means includes a bolt thread ably engaging svith the wall of the socket member 13 A security anchor edge protection system as claimed in any one of the preceding: clahns and \vhereir1 each post includes an upper harrier formic unit support anti connection member anti a 1o\vtr harrier lorminL; unit connection member \vith at least one ol suits menders providing a locking; arrangement 14 A security anti/or edge protection system as elaimetl in any vie of the preeetlinL; claims \vher-ein the harrier forming units each inelutie a rectanL;'lar frane\vork incorporating first anti secontJ side rncrnlers maintained in spacuti I aparl relationship by upper and lo\vcr spacing nemters with the interior sluice let\vcen the side mcnlcrs hying enclosed by ncsl' sliest or,thcr- unmans serving as the harrier lorminL; nlC;HiS.

   A security and/or cdc protection system as cl;rimcd in claim 13 ante 14 anti \vhercin Scans arc 1r-ovidcd l;,r closing in tle lower parts at the harrier forming units in such manucr as to torm a wall lor prcvcnting displacement ol articles through the said louver p arts 16 A security anti/or edge protection system substaritially as thereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 I igures 8 and 9 and 1 ig're 10 ot the 2n accompanying Cravings