GB2464470A

GB2464470A - Safety barrier for a vehicle bed

Info

Publication number: GB2464470A
Application number: GB0818838A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Hope
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-14
Filing date: 2008-10-14
Publication date: 2010-04-21
Also published as: GB0818838D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for providing temporary protection against falls for an operative on the flat bed of a vehicle. The system comprises barriers (e.g. fence panels) (7 figure 1), bases 6, and braces 1, such that the barriers engage with the bases and are supported by the braces to prevent lateral movement of the barriers when a deflecting force is exerted. The bases are preferably concrete or plastics with recesses 12 and 5 for uprights 8 and the braces. Later embodiments relate to a method of forming a vehicle bed safety system and a brace for use in said system.

Description

Safety System Frequently, for example during loading and unloading, operators need to climb on to the flat bed sections of trailers and lorries. During such activity, the operators are at risk from falls, as they are at a considerable height above the ground.

Several safety systems have been proposed to address this problem.

GB2442283 discloses a barrier for protecting workers on a lorry or trailer bed which rests on the ground and extends upwardly beyond the bed.

The present invention seeks to overcome problems associated with prior art safety systems.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a vehicle bed safety system comprising bases for engaging the ground, barriers extending upwardly from the bases beyond the height of the vehicle bed, and braces, wherein the braces cooperate with the barriers and the bases to provide resistance to deflection of the barriers.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a vehicle bed and vehicle bed safety system assembly comprising a vehicte bed safety system of the invention surrounding at least part of the periphery of the vehicle bed.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of forming a vehicle bed and vehicle bed safety system assembly of the invention comprising locating a vehicle bed and erecting a vehicle bed safety system around at least part of the vehicle bed.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a brace for use in a system, assembly or method of the invention.

Detailed description of invention

Bases suitable for use in the vehicle bed safety system are adapted to engage with the barriers to support the barriers in a substantially vertical position.

This may be achieved in a variety of ways.

Preferably, the bases span a sufficient distance either side of the barrier in order to lend stability to the barrier. The base is preferably of a sufficient mass to lend additional stability to the barrier.

The base may be made of any suitable material. Preferred materials include metal, concrete, and engineering plastics materials or a combination of these.

The base may be provided with a variety of adaptations to engage with a barrier. Preferably, the base is provided with at least a slot or at least a recess adapted to receive part of the barrier. Preferably, at least a recess is adapted to engage with an upright provided on a barrier panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the bases are provided with at least a pair of adjacent recess, at least one of said recesses adapted to engage with an upright provided on a barrier panel. Preferably, at least two of said recesses adapted to engage with an upright provided on a barrier panel.

Preferably, the bases are adapted to receive a portion of the brace. More preferably, each base is provided with a recess adapted to receive a foot of a brace. Preferably, the recess adapted to receive a foot of a brace ("brace recesses") are separated sufficiently from the recesses adapted to engage with an upright provided on a barrier panel ("panel recesses") to impart additional structural rigidity to the panel when engaged with the base, with the brace in position.

Suitable bases are those commercially available for use with temporary fencing systems. The skilled person will be aware of such systems.

Barriers suitable for use in the invention include solid sheet materials (e.g. wood, metal or a plastics material).

A preferred barrier is a fence panel. A preferred fence panel comprises a frame, tubular uprights, and a wire mesh contained within the frame.

Preferably, the tubular uprights extended beyond the frame to form feet adapted to engage with the recesses provided in the bases.

In one embodiment of the invention, the panel is of sufficient height such that it extends from the bases, which rest on the ground, upwardly beyond the height of the vehicle bed to a sufficient extent to form a secure working environment for an operative working on the vehicle bed. If necessary, a further panel may be connected to the panel engaged with the bases, in order to increase the height.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle bed safety system comprises at least two barriers. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle bed safety system comprises at least two barriers for the left hand side of the vehicle bed, and at least two barriers for the right hand side of the vehicle bed.

Where more than one barrier is employed, the barriers may be connected together by any means known in the art. For example, clips or clamps of various kinds may be employed. A known type of clamp for linking together fence panels is that described in GB2391560, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

Braces for use in the invention cooperate with both a base and a barrier to provide resistance against deflection. In particular, the braces reduce the tendency of the barriers to deflect away from the upright when a sideways force is exerted, for example when an operator working on the vehicle bed falls against the barrier.

The braces of the invention may engage with the bases in any manner known in the art. For example, the braces may bolt on to the bases. Preferably, the braces are adapted to be received by recesses provided on the bases.

Preferably, the braces comprise a substantially tubular foot adapted to be received by the recesses provided on the braces.

The braces of the invention may engage with the barriers in any manner known in the art. Preferably, the braces attach by means of a clamp to the barriers. More preferably, the braces attach to the uprights of the fence panels. The clamp may be integral with the brace, or may be a separate item.

It is preferred that the clamp is a separate item, for example that described in GB2391 560.

To erect the safety system, the barriers are engaged in the bases, and the braces connected in the bracing position. The barriers are brought into contact with an open side of a vehicle bed.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a brace of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a detail of a base, brace and barrier.

Figure 3 shows a vehicle bed safety system of the invention deployed around a vehicle trailer.

Description of the preferred embodiments

As illustrated in Figure 1, brace (1) includes a foot (2) for engagement with a base, connecting tube (3), and head (4) for connection to a barrier.

Figure 2 shows a brace (1) having foot (2) engaged in recess (5) of base (6).

A fence panel (7) has upright (8), cross beam (9) and mesh (10). The foot (11) of upright (8) is engaged in recess (12) of base (6). The head (4) of brace (1) is attached by a clamp (13) to upright (8).

Figure 3 shows a vehicle trailer (1 4) having left (15) and right (16) sides and a bed (17), surrounded by a vehicle bed safety system of the invention. Bases (6) have a first pair of recesses (5) adapted to receive feet (2) of braces (1), and a second pair of recesses (12) adapted to receive feet (11) of uprights (8).

Fence panels are connected together via central bases (6), and also clips (13). Headboard (18) provides a barrier around a third side of vehicle bed (17). The left and right hand barriers are connected at the rear of the trailer by a length of chain (19).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle bed safety system comprising bases for engaging the ground, barriers extending upwardly from the bases beyond the height of the vehicle bed, and braces, wherein the braces cooperate with the barriers and the bases to provide resistance to deflection of the barriers.
2. A vehicle bed safety system according to claim I wherein the barrier comprises uprights, and the bases are provided with at least a recess adapted to receive the uprights.
3. A vehicle bed safety system according to claim 2 wherein the base is provided with at least a further recess adapted to receive a portion of the brace.
4. A vehicle bed safety system according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the brace is attached to an upright.
5. A vehicle bed and vehicle bed safety system assembly comprising a vehicle bed safety system as claimed in any one of claims I to 4 surrounding at least part of the periphery of the vehicle bed.
6. A method of forming a vehicle bed and vehicle bed safety system assembly as claimed in claim 5 comprising locating a vehicle bed and erecting a vehicle bed safety system around at least part of the vehicle bed.
7. A brace for use in a system, assembly or method as claimed in any one of claims I to 6.
8. A system, assembly, method or brace substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.