GB2403936A

GB2403936A - A safety system for preventing a worker falling from a load platform

Info

Publication number: GB2403936A
Application number: GB0316817A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Barrett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-18
Filing date: 2003-07-18
Publication date: 2005-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-18
Also published as: GB2403936B; GB0316817D0

Abstract

A safety system (10) for use on a load platform (12) consists of a plurality of upstanding arms (14) attached to the platform (12) and an impact-resistant sheet (16) which extends between the arms (14). The arms (14) can be pivoted relative to the platform (12) between a first position in which the arms (14) are substantially normal to the plane of the platform (12) such that the sheet (16) forms a side wall and, a second position in which the arms (14) can be pivoted away from the normal such that the arms (14) extend outwardly away from the platform (12) and the sheet (16) forms a skirt which can catch objects which fall off the platform (12). The platform may comprise the flat bed of a lorry (figure 1C), and the impact resistant sheet may comprise a polypropylene mesh. Also disclosed are safety systems comprising releasable upstanding arms (figure 6A) and crossbars (figure 6C) rather than the impact-resistant sheet.

Description

- 2403936 - 1

SAFETY SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a safety system in particular, although not exclusively, for use on the load platform of a vehicle.

Certain industries, in particular the construction industry, require that workers must not be exposed to the risk of falling from a height of 2.1 metres or more. For example, when unloading and loading flat bed wagons workers are routinely more than 2.1 metres above the ground. Health and safety regulations dictate that they must not work in such environments without adequate restraint or protection.

In existing arrangements, flat bed wagons often have side walls which can be unlocked and folded down such that they pivot vertically downwards to allow loads to be moved on and off the wagon with ease. However, in this arrangement the worker is exposed to a sheer drop from the side of the wagon which may exceed health and safety regulations and constitutes a safety hazard to the worker.

In other arrangements, the side wall may comprise a sheet of durable material which is secured to a frame connected to the edge of the wagon. The sheet of material is usually tied or clipped in to position on to the frame to form the side wall for use during transit. When the wagon is to be loaded or unloaded the sheet is simply untied or unclipped from the frame. As above, this arrangement also results in an exposed edge which can be a safety hazard to the worker.

The present invention seeks to address the drawbacks of the prior art discussed above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety system for use on a load platform, the safety system comprising: a plurality of upstanding arms attached to the platform; and an impactresistant sheet which extends between the arms; where the arms are adapted to be pivoted relative to the platform between a first position in which the arms are substantially normal to the plane of the platform such that the sheet forms a side wall and, a second position in which the arms are inclined to the normal and - 2 extend outwardly away from the platform such that the sheet forms a skirt extending around a portion of the platform and adapted to catch objects which fall off the platform.

The impact-resistant sheet and arms can be moved between a first position in which it forms a side wall, for use during transit, and a second position in which it acts as a skirt to catch objects which fall off the platform during loading/unloading procedures. The safety system acts as a barrier to prevent objects falling to the ground whilst not impeding the loading/unloading procedure.

Preferably, the arms are pivotally secured to the platform such that the entire arm can pivot relative to the load platform. Alternatively, the arms may comprise a first portion rigidly secured to the platform and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion, such that the second portion can pivot relative to the first portion. Conveniently, the arms are secured to the platform by means of brackets. In certain embodiments, the first portion may be secured to the platform by means of brackets. The arms may be secured proximate to the edge of the load platform.

The first and second portions may be of similar length. In certain embodiments, the second portion is longer than the first portion. Preferably, the second portion is between three to six times the length of the first portion.

Conveniently, the system further comprises a pivot member which can be secured to the platform and which can pivotally support an arm. Preferably, the second portion is pivotally connected to the first portion by means of a pivot member secured to the first portion.

Preferably, the pivot member comprises two substantially parallel plates secured together by first and second pins. Conveniently, the pivot member includes a spigot which can be secured into an open end of a first portion of an arm. A second portion of an arm may be of narrower cross- section towards a first end. Preferably, a first end of the first arm portion includes a bore hole through which the first pin can be secured to provide a pivot point for the second portion of the arm relative to the pivot member and first arm portion. The second pin may be used to secure the plates of the pivot member together.

Conveniently, the pivot member comprises first and second stop members which limit the extent of rotation of an entire arm or a second portion of an arm between the first and second positions. Preferably, the second pin provides the first stop member for the entire arm or second arm portion. Conveniently, the second stop member is provided between the plates.

The second position may be between normal to the platform and the plane of the platform.

Conveniently, in the second position the arms are pivoted to between 45 degrees and 80 degrees away from normal to the plane of the platform. In a most preferred embodiment, in the second position the arms are pivoted to around 70 degrees away from normal to the plane of the platform. In preferred embodiments, each arm or each second portion is lockable in the first position.

The impact-resistant material may include wood, moulded plastic or a sheet material. The sheet material may be in the form of a mesh or net. This reduces the weight which needs to be supported by the arms. Preferably, the impact-resistant material is formed from a resilient material. A resilient material provides a soft landing for a workman should he fall off.

Conveniently, the impact-resistant material is a polypropylene mesh. In preferred embodiments, the polypropylene mesh includes an edge rope having a diameter of substantially 12 mm. The mesh may have a gauge of approximately 5 mm. In some embodiments, the mesh has open areas of around 100 mm2.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety system for use on a load platform, the safety system comprising: a plurality of upstanding arms releasably secured to the platform, and an impact-resistant sheet which extends between the arms; in which the arms are substantially normal to the plane of the platform such that the sheet forms a side wall which is adapted to prevent objects from falling off the platform.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety system for use on a load platform, the safety system comprising: a plurality of upstanding arms releasably secured to the platform, and ! - 4 a plurality of crossbars which are secured to, and which extend between, the arms to form a barrier; the barrier being disposed at a height above the load platform such that it can prevent an operator from falling off the platform.

The cross-bars may be at a height of between O.S metros and 2.5 metros. Preferably, the cross- bars are at a height of between one metre and two metres above the load platform. The cross- bars may be disposed at around waist height to chest height of an operator. Most preferably, the cross-bars are at a height of between 1.4 and 1.8 metres above the load platform.

Preferably, the cross-bars are formed integrally with the arms. In preferred embodiments, three crossbars are secured to, and extend between, the arms.

Any of the options listed above in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the second or third aspects of the invention.

The safety system may be included as part of a load platform.

The load platform may be included as part of vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of a safety system in accordance with the present invention in both upright and pivoted configurations on a load platform; Figure 1B shows the safety system and load platform of Figure 1A without an impact-resistant sheet; Figure 1C shows the safety system and load platform of Figure 1B forming part of a vehicle; Figure 2 is a schematic end view of Figure 1 C illustrating the operation of the safety system; l Figure 3 shows an arm of the safety system in an upright configuration; Figure 4 shows an arm of the safety system in a pivoted configuration; Figure 5 illustrates the operation of a pivot member in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6A shows a second embodiment of a safety system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6B shows the safety system and load platform of Figure 6A without an impact-resistant sheet; and Figure 6C shows a third embodiment of a safety system in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figures 1 to 5 a first embodiment of a safety system (10), in accordance with the present invention, is shown in Figure 1A connected to a load platform (12). A plurality of arms (14) are secured to opposite edges of the load platform (12) by means of brackets (22). An impact- resistant sheet (16) is connected to, and extends between, the arms (14) along opposing sides ofthe platform (12). In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 A, the impactresistant sheet (16) takes the form of a resilient net or mesh. In Figures 1B and 1 C the impact-resistant sheet (16) has been removed for the purposes of clarity to illustrate the operation of the safety system (10). Figure 1 C shows the load platform (12) as part of a trailer (18) for an articulated vehicle (not shown).

In the embodiment shown in each of Figures 1 to 5, the arms (14) consist of a first portion (20) which is rigidly secured to an edge of the load platform (10) by means of a bracket (22). Each of the arms (14) also includes a second portion (24) which is pivotally connected at a first end to the first portion (20) by a pivot member (26) (described more fully hereinafter). A second end of each second portion (24) is provided with an aperture (28) which provides a connection point to allow the impact-resistant sheet ( 16) to be connected to the arm ( 14). - 6

The pivot member (26) is shown in greater detail in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Each pivot member (26) consists of two substantially parallel plates (30) which are secured together by first and second pins (32, 34). In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the pivot member (26) includes a spigot (36) which can be secured into an open end (37) of the first portion (20) of the arm (14). The second portion (24) of the arm (14) is of narrower cross-section towards its first end (38). The first end (38) includes a bore hole (40) through which the first pin (32) can be secured to provide a pivot point for the second portion (24) of the arm (14) relative to the pivot member (26) and first arm portion (20). The second pin (34) also secures the plates (30) of the pivot member (26) together and acts as a first stop member for the second arm portion (24). A second stop member (40) is provided between the plates (30). The first and second stop members (34, 40) limit the rotation of the second arm portion relative to the pivot member (26) and first arm portion (20).

As shown in Figure 1A, the arms (14) may be moved from a first position in which they are upright or normal relative to the load platform (12) to a second position in which a second portion (24) is pivoted outwardly away from the load platform (12). In the first position the arms (14) and impact-resistant sheet (16) co-operate to provide a side wall which prevents articles simply sliding offthe load platform (12) during transit. When the load platform (12) is to be loaded or unloaded the second portion (24) of each arm (14) can be pivoted to the second position such that the impact-resistant sheet (16) forms a skirt which extends outwardly from the platform (12). This skirt can catch articles which are dropped and can prevent an operator from falling to the ground from the platform (12).

In other embodiments (not shown) the arm is not split into first and second portions. A first end of the arm is pivotally connected to the load platform and the entire length of the arm is pivoted relative to the load platform.

A second embodiment of a safety system (10'), in accordance with the present invention, is shown in Figure 6A connected to a load platform (12')which forms part of a trailer (18') for an articulated vehicle (not shown). In the second embodiment a plurality of arms (14') are rigidly secured to opposing edges of the load platform (12') by means of brackets (22'). An impact- resistant sheet (16') is connected to, and extends between, the arms (14') along opposing sides of the platform (12'). In the embodiment shown in Figure 6A, the impact-resistant sheet (16') takes the form of a resilient net or mesh. In Figure 6B the impact-resistant sheet (16') has been removed for the purposes of clarity.

A third embodiment of a safety system (10"), in accordance with the present invention, is shown in Figure 6C. In the third embodiment a plurality of arms (14") are rigidly secured to opposing edges of the load platform (12") by means of brackets (22"). A number of crossbars (42") are connected to, and extend between, the arms (14") along opposing sides ofthe platform (12') to provide a barrier to prevent objects, in particular workmen from falling from the load platform (12"). - 8

Claims

Claims: 1. A safety system for use on a load platform, the safety system

comprising: a plurality of upstanding arms attached to the platform; and an impact-resistant sheet which extends between the arms; where the arms are adapted to be pivoted relative to the platform between a first position in which the arms are substantially normal to the plane of the platform such that the sheet forms a side wall and, a second position in which the arms are inclined to the normal and extend outwardly away from the platform such that the sheet forms a skirt extending around a portion of the platform and adapted to catch objects which fall off the platform.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the arms are pivotally secured to the platform such that the entire arm can pivot relative to the load platform.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a pivot member which can be secured to the platform and which can pivotally support an arm.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the arms comprise a first portion rigidly secured to the platform and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion, such that the second portion can pivot relative to the first portion.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4 in which the second portion is pivotally connected to the first portion by means of a pivot member secured to the first portion.
6. A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 5 in which the pivot member comprises first and second stops which limit the extent of rotation of an entire arm or a second portion of an arm between the first and second positions.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which in the second position the arms are pivoted to between 45 degrees and 80 degrees away from the normal to the plane of the platform. - 9 -
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which in the second position the arms are pivoted to around 70 degrees away from the normal to the plane of the platform.
9. A system as claimed any preceding claim in which the impact-resistant material is formed from a resilient material.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the impactresistant material comprises a polypropylene mesh.
1 1. A load platform including a safety system according to any of claims 1 to 10.
12. A vehicle including a load platform according to claim 1 1.
13. A safety system for use on a load platform, the safety system comprising: a plurality of upstanding arms releasably secured to the platform; and an impact-resistant sheet which extends between the arms; in which the arms are substantially normal to the plane of the platform such that the sheet forms a side wall which is adapted to prevent objects from falling off the platform.
14. A safety system for use on a load platform, the safety system comprising: a plurality of upstanding arms releasably secured to the platform; and a plurality of crossbars which are secured to, and which extend between, the arms to form a barrier; the barrier being disposed at a height above the load platform such that it can prevent an operator from falling off the platform.
15. A safety system as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A load platform as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A vehicle as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.