GB2443884A

GB2443884A - Fall prevention apparatus for use in multi-storey buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2443884A
Application number: GB0623003A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Anthony Gibson; Anthony Clark Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-17
Filing date: 2006-11-17
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Also published as: GB0623003D0

Abstract

The fall prevention apparatus, for use during construction projects when floors have been constructed but walls not yet built, comprises a barrier support element 10 of adjustable length for extending between a floor 6 and ceiling 14 with first and second rest elements 4,12 that extends inwardly, in use, from the upper and lower ends of the support element to rest against the floor and ceiling, respectively, to which they can be secured using fixing elements 24. The support element is preferably telescopic and formed from open channel elements that include a number of holes that enable brackets 34 for supporting boards 36 to be secured at one of a number of different heights. The rest elements preferably comprise flat-sided bars and sleeves 32 may be provided to cover the bars such that a wall may be constructed over the top of the bars after which the bars and barrier system may be removed.

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE IN PREVENTING PERSONS OR OBJECTS

FALLING OVER AN EDGE OF A FLOOR OF A BUILDING

DURING CONSTRUCTION OF A WALL ON THE EDGE OF THE FLOOR

This invention relates to apparatus for use in preventing persons or objects falling over an edge of a floor of a building during construction of a wall on the edge of the floor.

When multi-storey buildings are being constructed, the framework and floors are initially built. Until such time as edge walls are constructed between the floors, there is always a danger that persons or objects will fall over the edge of the floors. Apparatus is known for use in preventing persons or objects falling over the edge of the floors. The known apparatus is often unsatisfactory in that it does not extend the full height between a floor and an adjacent ceiling and/or cannot be left in place whilst a wall is being built and/or is expensive and/or interferes with persons working on the floor such for example as electricians, plumbers or bricklayers building the wall.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in preventing persons or objects falling over an edge of a floor of a building during construction of a wall on the edge of the floor, which apparatus comprises: (i) a barrier support member for extending upwardly from the edge of the floor to an edge of a ceiling above the floor, the barrier support member being adjustable in length so that it is able to fit between floors and ceilings which are at different distances from each other; (ii) a first rest member which extends inwardly from a first end of the barrier support member such that the first rest member rests on the floor; (iii) a second rest member which extends inwardly from a second end of the barrier support member such that the second rest member rests against the ceiling; and (iv) fixing means for fixing the first rest member to the floor and the second rest member to the ceiJing.

The apparatus of the present invention can be used such that it does not obstruct tradesmen working on the floor inside the building. The wall can be constructed by bricklayers working who are able to work on the floor and inside the building. The apparatus can be inexpensively produced. The apparatus of the present invention can be installed substantially immediately the floors of a multi-story building are in place, so that the apparatus is always available for helping to prevent persons or objects falling from the edge of a floor, even before construction of a perimeter wafi has been started. Because the apparatus of the present invention can be installed immediately the floors are constructed, the entire building can soon be made water tight. This contrasts very advantageously with existing practices where external walls are often constructed from the ground floor up and one at a time. With this practice, it often happens that rain enters into higher floors and runs down to completed floors with walls and damages fixtures and fittings being inserted by tradesmen on the completed floors with the completed walls.

The apparatus of the present invention can be used between all floors.

When used on the top floor of a building, then the second rest member may rest against any appropriate structure forming the ceiling such for example as a flat ceiling, or a part of a roof, soffit or parapet.

The apparatus of the present invention may also be used in the construction of multi-storey structures inside a building. For example multi-storey structures inside a building might be required in a warehouse where there may be several internal floors each requiring floor edge protection apparatus to stop persons or objects falling over the edges of the internal floors.

Preferably the apparatus is one in which the barrier support member is a telescopic barrier support member. Thus the length of the barrier support member is able to be adjusted by a simple sliding action. If desired, other types of construction may be employed to enable the barrier support member to be adjustable in length so that, for example, a screw-threaded arrangement may be employed.

Preferably, the telescopic barrier support member comprises first and second parts which slide with respect to each other. The first and the second parts may be open channel member parts. The first and the second parts may be of other constructions if desired so that, for example, the first and the second parts may be first and second tubes which slide one inside the other.

Generally, the barrier support member can have any suitable and appropriate cross sectional shape including a square, rectangular or circular cross sectional shape.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the first and the second rest members and the fixing means are constructed for enabling the apparatus to be removed after the construction of the wall.

With apparatus which is to be removed after the construction of the wall, the apparatus may be one in which the first and the second rest members are each of a length which is longer than the width of the wait being constructed whereby the first and the second rest members are able to project from an inner face of the wall, in which the fixing means acts on parts of the first and the second rest members which project from the inner face of the wall, and in which the fixing means are releasable fixing means.

The releasable fixing means may be screw-threaded fixing means which pass through holes in the parts of the first and the second rest members which project from the inner face of the wall. The screw-threaded fixing means may be bolts or other devices. Fixing means other than screw-threaded fixing means may be employed so that, for example, the fixing means may be a bolt or a rivet which is fired from a gun into the wall or ceiling.

The apparatus of the present invention may include a first sleeve member for fitting over the first rest member, and a second sleeve member for fitting over the second sleeve member, the first and the second sleeve members being such as to aid removal of the first and the second rest members from the wall after the wall has been constructed. For example, the first and the second sleeve members may make it easier to knock the first and the second rest members through the wall after the wall has been constructed.

The first and the second sleeve members may be degradable, whereby they are able to be left in position in the wall. The first and the second sleeve members are then able to degrade and disappear over time.

Alternatively, the first and the second sleeve members need not be degradable, in which case they can just be left in position where they are.

If desired, the entire apparatus can be left in position where it is after construction of the wall.

Preferably, the rest member is a flat-sided bar. Rest members of other cross sectional shapes may be employed.

The barrier support member advantageously includes at least one mounting means for mounting a barrier member on the barrier support member.

The mounting means is preferably a bracket for receiving a barrier member in the form of a board.

The bracket is preferably a releasable bracket. The releasable bracket may have a projecting portion for fitting into a chosen one of a plurality of holes in the barrier support member, thereby to enable the bracket to be positioned at a chosen height along the length of the barrier support member.

As an alternative to having a releasable bracket, the bracket may be of permanent fixture to the barrier support member.

There may be two of the brackets spaced along the length of the barrier support member.

The wall may be constructed from any suitable and appropriate wall members. The wall members will usually be bricks or blocks. Other wall members may however be employed.

The apparatus of the present invention may be made of any suitable and appropriate materials. The materials will preferably be rust-proof materials. Such rust-proof materials may be galvanised mild steel or aluminium.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for use in preventing persons or objects falling over an edge of a floor of a building during construction of a wall on the edge of the floor, Figure 1 showing the wall in an early stage of construction; Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 but shows the wall in a more advanced stage of construction; Figure 3 is a side sectional view showing the apparatus, and also the wall fully constructed; Figure 4 shows a first rest member forming part of the apparatus; and Figure 5 shows a second rest member forming part of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 2 for use in preventing persons or objects falling over an edge 4 of a floor 6 during construction of a wall 8 on the edge 4 of the floor 6.

The apparatus 2 comprises a barrier support member 10 for extending upwardly from the edge 4 of the floor 6 to an edge 12 of a ceiling 14 above the floor 6. The barrier support member 10 is adjustable in length so that it is able to fit between floors and ceilings which are set at different distances from each other.

The apparatus 2 also comprises a first rest member 16 which extends inwardly from a first end 18 of the barrier support member 10 such the first rest member 16 rests on the floor 6.

The apparatus 2 also comprises a second rest member 20 which extends inwardly from a second end 22 of the barrier support member 10 such that the second rest member 20 rests against the ceiling 14.

The apparatus 2 also comprises fixing means 24 for fixing the first rest member 16 to the floor 6, and for fixing the second rest member 20 to the ceiling 14.

The barrier support member 10 is a telescopic barrier support member 10. The telescopic barrier support member 10 comprises a first part 26 and a second part 28. The second part 28 slides in the first part 26 as shown. The first and the second parts 26, 28 are open channel member parts as shown.

The first rest member 16, the second rest member 20 and the fixing means 24 are constructed for enabling the apparatus 2 to be removed after the construction of the waIl 8. More specifically, the first and the second rest members 16, 20 are each of a length which is longer than the width of the wall 8 being constructed. Thus the first and the second rest members 16, 20 are able to project from an inner face 30 of the wall 8 as shown in Figure 3.

Also as shown in Figure 3, the fixing means 24 is able to act on parts of the first and the second rest members 16, 20 which project from the inner face 30 of the wall 8. The fixing means 24 are releasable fixing means 24. The releasable fixing means 24 are screw-threaded fixing means in the form of bolts which pass through holes 32 in the parts of the first and the second rest members 16, 20 which project from the inner face 30 of the wall 8. The first and the second rest members 16, 18 are flat-sided bars.

The barrier support member 10 includes mounting means 34 for mounting a barrier member 36 on the barrier support member 10. The mounting means 34 is a bracket for receiving a barrier member in the form of a board.

As can best be appreciated from Figure 5, the mounting means 34 in the form of the bracket is a releasable mounting means. The releasable mounting means 34 has a projecting portion 38 which fits into a chosen one of a plurality of holes 40 in the barrier support member 10. This enables the mounting means 34 in the form of the bracket to be positioned at a chosen height along the length of the barrier support member 10. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, there are two of the mounting means 34 spaced apart along the barrier support member 10.

Figure 1 shows three pieces of the apparatus 2 in use with the wall 8 being constructed of bricks or building blocks 42. Figure 2 shows four of the pieces of apparatus 2, with the wall 8 being of a higher construction than in Figure 1. It will be noticed that the barrier members 26 have been moved upwardly to prevent persons or objects falling over the top of the wall 8 as the wall 8 gets higher. It will also be noticed that the barrier support members 10 extend completely between the floor 6 and the ceiling 14, and thereby are able to position the barrier members 36 at any suitable and appropriate height. Thus persons and objects are always able to be prevented from falling over the edge 4 of the floor 6, irrespective of how high the wall 8 has been built.

Figure 3 shows the wall 8 completely built. Figure 3 also illustrates how the wall B is able to be built from the inside 44 of a multi-storey building having multiple floors 6. The barrier support member 10 extends as shown in Figure 3 beyond the edges 4, 12 and thus the wall 8 is able to be built such that is is exactly in line with the extremities of the edges 4, 12.

After the wall 8 has been built, the inner face 30 of the wall 8 can be cladded if desired. Another wall or appropriate cladding can also be provided on the outer face 46 of the wall 8 if desired. The apparatus 2 can easily be removed by undoing the fixing means 24 and knocking the first and the second rest members 16, 20 outwardly, so that the entire apparatus 2 is able to be removed from the outside 48 of the building or structure having the multiple floors 6.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the first and the second rest members 16, 20 may each be provided with a sleeve (not shown) for facilitating the knocking of the first and the second rest members 16, 20 out of the completed wall 8. The first and the second rest members 16, 20 are constructed as best shown in Figures 4 and 5 so that they basically form a single flat strip of material which might be bent from part of the channel member forming the barrier support member 10. Other constructions for the first and the second rest members 16, 20 may be employed. The first and the second rest members 16, 20 may be formed integrally with the barrier support member 10, or they may be separately formed and subsequently secured in position, for example by welding. The barrier support member 10 may have a different cross-sectional shape to that shown. A barrier member other than a board may be employed so that, for example, the barrier member could be a mesh net or any other suitable and appropriate type of barrier member.

Claims

* CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for use in preventing persons or objects failing

over an edge of a floor of a building during construction of a wall on the edge of the floor, which apparatus comprises: (i) a barrier support member for extending upwardly from the edge of the floor to an edge of a ceiling above the floor, the barrier support members being adjustable in length so that it is able to fit between floor and ceilings which are at different distances from each other; (ii) a first rest member which extends inwardly from a first end of the barrier support member such that the first rest member rests on the floor; (iii) a second rest member which extends inwardly from a second end of the barrier support member such that the second rest member rests against the ceiling; and (iv) fixing means for fixing the first rest member to the floor and the second rest member to the ceiling.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the barrier support member is a telescopic barrier support member.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the telescopic barrier support member comprises first and second parts which slide with respect to each other.
4. Apparatus according to ciaim 3 in which the first and the second parts are open channel member parts.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second rest members and the fixing means are constructed for enabling the apparatus to be removed after the construction of the wall.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the first and the second rest members are each of a length which is longer than the width of the wall being constructed whereby the first and the second rest members are able to project from an inner face of the wall, in which the fixing means acts on parts of the first and the second rest members which project from the inner face of the wall, and in which the fixing means are releasable fixing means.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the releasable fixing means are screw-threaded fixing means which pass through holes in the parts of the first and the second rest members which project from the inner face of the wall.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 -7 and including a first sleeve member for fitting over the first rest member, and a second sleeve member for fitting over the second rest member, the first and the second sleeve members being such as to aid removal of the first and the second rest members from the wall after the wall has been constructed.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the first and the second sleeve members are degradable, whereby they are able to be left in position in the wall.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rest member is a flat-sided bar.
11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the barrier support member includes at least one mounting means for mounting a barrier member on the barrier support member.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the mounting means is a bracket for receiving a barrier member in the form of a board.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the bracket is a releasable bracket.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the releasable bracket has a projecting portion for fitting into a chosen one of a plurality of holes in the bamer support member, thereby to enable the bracket to be positioned at a chosen height along the length of the barrier support member.
15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 -14 in which there are two of the brackets spaced apart along the length of the barrier support member.
16. Apparatus for use in preventing persons or objects falling over and edge of a floor of a building during construction of a wall on the edge of the floor, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings