GB2456124A

GB2456124A - Shielding barrier for a wall

Info

Publication number: GB2456124A
Application number: GB0719841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alexander Black; Robert David Black
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-10
Filing date: 2007-10-10
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-10
Also published as: GB0719841D0; GB2456124B; WO2009047547A2

Abstract

A shielding barrier unit comprises a support structure of two or more vertical members, and a barrier member extending between, and supported by way of, at least two of the vertical members. Each vertical member has mounted on it an associated longitudinal member the two being linked by way of means at or near the upper end and the lower end of the longitudinal member. A retaining member is slidably disposed on at least two of the longitudinal members whereby the longitudinal members, and so the vertical members associated therewith can be linked to wall with which the unit is to be used. The barrier member is supported by way of the vertical members at a region of the vertical members apart from any longitudinal member with which the vertical members are associated. The unit may be moveable between two operating configurations. The vertical members may be telescopic. The barrier may comprise an open work panel and may extend above the top of the vertical members.

Description

1 2456124

SAFETY BARRIER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a safety unit. It is particularly concerned with a safety unit for use in connection with building and other aspects of the construction industry.

BACKGROUND ART

During the construction of a wall made of blocks, bricks or other modular construction elements set, for example, in mortar the partially completed wall is particularly liable to be damaged by something or somebody falling across the top of the partially completed wall. Particular examples of this are: a longitudinal member, such as a plank or pole, falling across the top of the wall; or a person who, while standing close to the top of the wall, inadvertently falls across it. In either case the construction element involved, with the mortar unset, is readily displaced out of the wall or at least pushed out of alignment with neighbouring elements. Such damage can be a serious setback to achieving a target of completion quite apart from any safety difficulties arising.

Heretofore attempts to provide some form of barrier which would prevent an object fallmg in a direction causing lateral displacement of the wall have resulted in access to *: : : °: the wall top on which work is required being impeded and so the ability of a builder to * **., get on with his work. In the event the builder is working on piece rates he will be **.* reluctant to make use of the barrier if he can avoid doing so. *.*

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

* A safety unit comprising: * a support structure of two or more vertical members; a barrier member extending between, and supported by way of, at least two of the vertical members; each vertical member having mounted on it an associated longitudinal member linked to the associated vertical member by way of means at or near the upper end and at the lower end of the associated longitudinal member; a retaining member slidably disposed on at least two longitudinal members' whereby the longitudinal member, and so the vertical member associated therewith can be demountably linked to a wall or other target with which the unit is to be used; the barrier member being supported by way of a vertical member at a region of the vertical member apart from any longitudinal member with which the vertical member is associated.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention each vertical member is telescopic in form to provide for the length of the vertical member to be varied between a minimum and a maximum length.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof each vertical member is provided with a ground support having a first operating position where the ground support is extended to serve to maintain the vertical member is a working position and second operating position where the ground support is retracted to provide a transport/storage configuration for a vertical member providing for the vertical member an outside dimension which is of minimal radial extent. * * ****

* According to a third preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding :.:. preferred version thereof the barrier member and each vertical support is adapted for S. demountable connection with one another. ** * S * S..

* According to a fourth preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof wherein the barrier has an upper rigid boundary and the barrier is located on the or each vertical support so that an upper boundary of the barrier member extends above and beyond the top of each vertical support on which the barrier is mounted.

According to a fifth preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof the barrier comprising or including a panel of open work construction.

BRIEF DEscRIvrIoN OF DRAWINGS An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing of a safety unit according to the present in invention, of which: Figure 1 is a view of a unit shown in a working configuration; Figure 2 is a view from the side of the unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a component of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a detail of a component shown in Figure 3 Figure 5 is a detail of another component of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 6 shows a part of the unit of Figures 1 and 2 shown in a

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The drawings variously show a safety unit 11 including a support structure of three vertical members 12, 13, 14 with a barrier member 15 extending between, and supported by way of the vertical members. In what follows reference is made to S...

* vertical member 13. The vertical members 12, 14 are similar in form and function and are equipped in the same way as vertical member 13 and function in an identical *..

manner. Member 13 has mounted on it a longitudinal member 16 in the form of a rod * which is linked to the member 13 by way of a bolted coupling 17 near upper end 18 of "J the member 13 and a bolted coupling 19 near lower end 20 of the member 13. A retaining unit 21 (in this case formed in the shape of a hook-see in particular Figure 4) is slidably disposed on the longitudinal member 16 whereby the longitudinal member 16, and so the vertical member 13 secured to it can be demountably attached to the top of wall W by way of the retaining unit 21.

The barrier member 15 is demountably secured to vertical member 13 by hooks attached to the member 13 on the opposite side of the member 13 to the longitudinal member 16.

The lower end of vertical member 13 has mounted on it a tripod base (see in particular Figures 5 and 6) with legs 23, 24 pivoted at their upper ends to a collar 25 which is slidably disposed on the vertical member and can be clamped on the member 13 by operation of a hand wheel 26. The legs 23, 24 are pivotably attached at a position intermediate their ends by braces (respectively braces 23A, 24A) to a fixed location 27 on the member 13. This arrangement provides for the vertical member 13 to be either supported in a working configuration (as shown in Figures 1,2 and 5) or to be retracted and clamped in a transport/storage configuration as shown in Figure 6.

In Figures 1 and 2 the unit 11 is shown positioned in its working configuration on one side of wall W on to the top of which retaining units, such as unit 21 on member 13, are readily engaged with the top of the wall W. The wall W is shown being constructed of concrete blocks. The, or each, wall builder is working on the opposite side of the *: :: wall W to that on which the unit 11 is located. In this way the unit 11 presents no * . impediment to the wall builder on their side of the wall. S... * S.

Where necessary the builder can use a scaffold or other means to give convenient S..

23 access to the upper part of the wall W while it is being built. In the event a builder *** * loses footing and falls towards the wall they will tend to impact with the barrier 15 * * and the resulting impact loading on the wall is distributed along the wall by means of retaining units 21 and the corresponding units of the other vertical members 12,14. It has been found that two retaining units with one unit on each of separate vertical members and spaced along the top of the wall W provide adequate anchorage for the barrier member 15. This amount of anchoring has been found to cope with accidental loading by a falling operative or by another article, such as a scaffold pole, falling onto the wail. In either case the barrier serves to prevent the falling individual or article striking the top of the wall which, until mortar in which the uppermost blocks are mounted has gone off, is capable of being readily displaced by impact loads on their exposed upper sides.

The barrier being demountably attached to the vertical members 12, 13, 14 is readily raised so as to project the required amount above the top of wall W as it is built up.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention provides a safety unit which is readily used for wall building in the construction industry which is one noted for having a poor accident record. A particular advantage of the present invention is in providing a safety device which does not impede operatives required to use it and which is readily assembled and positioned in a short space of time. This makes the unit attractive to an operative and thus make it more likely to be used to the advantage of the operative and those dependent on them and to people responsible for site safety. * * * ** * *... * * **.* * ** * * * *** S * S..

S S. * . * 555 S. * S * S S *S

Claims

I A safety unit comprising: a support structure of two or more vertical members; a barrier member extending between, and supported by way of, at least two of the vertical members; each vertical member having mounted on it an associated longitudinal member linked to the associated vertical member by way of means at or near the upper end and the lower end of the associated longitudinal member; a retaining member slidably disposed on at least two longitudinal members whereby the longitudinal member, and so the vertical member associated therewith can be linked to wall with which the unit is to be used; the barrier member being supported by way of a vertical member at a region of the vertical member apart from any longitudinal member with which the vertical member is associated.
2 A safety unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each vertical member is telescopic in form to provide for the length of the vertical member to be varied between a minimum and a maximum length.
3 A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each vertical member is provided with a ground support having a first operating position where the a...

* ground support is extended to serve to maintain the vertical member is a working position and second operating position where the ground support 2 is retracted to provide a configuration for the vertical member and the ground support maintain which is of minimal radial extent. * a a. * a.i
4 A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barrier member and each vertical support are adapted for demountable connection with one another.
A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barrier has an * upper rigid boundary and the barrier is located on the or each vertical support so that an upper boundary of the barrier member extends above and beyond the top of each vertical support on which the barrier is mounted.
6 A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barrier comprises or includes a panel of open work construction.
7 A safety unit as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. o * * * I. I I... * * ** * * I. * * * *.* S

I
S..

S S. * I * Se.

S * .*