GB2468711A

GB2468711A - Flexible safety cover for service pit

Info

Publication number: GB2468711A
Application number: GB0904797A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Melvyn Burrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-20
Filing date: 2009-03-20
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-20
Also published as: GB2468711B; GB0904797D0

Abstract

A safety cover4for a service pit1comprises a plurality of support rods12configured to extend between first and second guide rails8. The guide rails are configured for attachment along opposing sides of the service pit1. A flexible cover sheet10is connected to and extends between the support rods12. The support rods12are supported for sliding movement along the guide rails8. The flexible sheet10is connected to the support rods such that relative movement of the support members away from each other along the guide members causes the flexible sheet10to extend from a stored position to a cover position.

Description

A SAFETY COVER FOR A SERVICE NT

The present invention relates to a safety cover for a service pit, and in particular to low cost safety cover which is simple to install.

Vehicle inspection pits provide a working volume for personnel carrying out automotive servicing and repair tasks at the underside of a vehicle, and such a pit is usually deep enough so that personnel using the pit can work on a vehicle without stooping unduly. Therefore, the depth of the pit is such that it represents a significant safety hazard in terms of its potential to inflict injuries if personnel fall into it and accordingly it is usual to provide removable covers for such a pit, often in the form of beam like structures lodged in a transverse attitude within a ledge-like recess at each longitudinal side edge of the pit.

However, such an arrangement, although relatively safe is extremely inconvenient to use due to the labour involved in the repetitive mounting and dismounting of the pit cover between pit usage. As a result, it is frequently the case that the pit cover is not actually put in place and the result is that the pit represents a serious hazard for automotive servicing personnel.

UK Patent Number 2373227 describes a retractable safety cover for a service pit comprising multiple interconnected rigid cover members which are extended over the pit by an automated motorized mechanism. While this arrangement provides a pit cover which can be extended and, the cost of such a system, and the time, cost and effort required for installation, can be prohibitive.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved safety cover for a service pit which can be easily and cheaply manufacture and installed, addresses the above described problems and/or which provides improvements generally.

Tn an embodiment of the invention there is provided a safety cover for a service pit, comprising first and second guide members, a plurality of support members configured to extend between the guide members, and a flexible cover sheet. The guide members are configured for attachment along opposing sides of a service pit, and the plurality of support members extend between said first and second guide members. The flexible cover sheet is connected to and extends between said plurality of support members. The support members are supported by and are moveable along the guide members. The flexible sheet is connected to the support members such that movement of the support members along the guide members causes the flexible sheet to move between a stored position and a cover position.

The safety cover sheet arrangement is simple to manufacture and install and requires substantially less parts compared to the rigid safety cover arrangement of the prior art. Hence the safety cover may be produced at a significantly lower cost, while still providing a suitable level of safety protection.

The plurality of support members may be connected to the flexible cover sheet at multiple spaced positions along the length of the sheet, to maintain taughtness in the sheet. In this way the ability of the cover sheet to effectively arrest a falling person is improved. In addition, supporting the sheet at multiple points along its length limits the amount and depth of sag of the sheet, and enables it to be easily and conveniently retracted without interference with objects such as jacks located within the pit.

The safety cover may further comprise fixing means for holding one of the plurality of support members at a first end of the flexible cover sheet in a fixed position relative to the guide members. In this way, one end of the cover sheet is permanently held in position at a first end of the pit, while the opposing end of the sheet is drawn towards the opposite end of the pit to cover the opening.

The safety cover preferably further comprising locking means for locking a second one of the plurality of support members positioned at an opposing second end of the flexible cover sheet in fixed position relative to the guide rails. The locking means holds the flexible sheet in the cover position by fixing the leading support member preventing in position and preventing it from returning towards the stored position.

The locking means may be configured to selectively lock the second support member in a plurality of positions along the length of the guide members. This enables the cover sheet to be locked in both the fully covered position, and a plurality of partially covered positions long the length of the pit.

The locking means may be further configured for locking at least a third one of the plurality of support members, disposed between the first and second support members, in a second fixed position along the length of the guide members, such that the flexible cover sheet is held in the cover position between the second and third support members. Specifically, when the cover sheet is in the partially covered position, the section of cover sheet between the second and third support members is held taught by locking the second and third support members in position. The portion of the cover sheet between the third and first support members remains loosely folded in the stored position.

Preferably the locking means comprises at least one locking pin and a plurality of apertures positioned along the length of the guide members configured to receive the at least one locking pin. The apertures are arranged such that insertion of the locking pin into a selected one of the apertures prevents movement of an adjacent support member relative to the guide members. The locking pin arrangement provides a simple and lost cost means of locking the support members in position.

n addition or alternatively the locking means may comprises a locking lever, and a cam member arranged to lock against one of the first and second guide members when rotated by the locking lever.

The plurality of support members may comprise support rods, and the first and second guide members may comprise guide rails configured to slidingly receive the support rods. The support rods may include wheels connected at their ends which are received by the guide rails for movement of the support rods along the length thereof. The wheels rotate, or slide within the guide rails to allow the support rods to slide therealong. The wheels may be rotatable or fixed relative to the support members.

The safety cover preferably includes a storage section for housing the flexible cover sheet in the stored position. The storage section may be defined by a section of the service pit. The storage section allows th safety cover to be neatly stored in a non-obstructive location when in the stored position.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 shows a transverse section of a service pit including a safety cover according to an embodiment of the invention of the cover in the stored position; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the cover of Figure 1 in a partially covered position; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the arrangement of Figure 1 in the partially covered positiorc and Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section of the arrangement of Figure 2 in the stored position.

Referring to Figure 1, a service pit 1 allows a vehicle maintenance worker to stand beneath a vehicle positioned over the pit 1, to perform maintenance or repair tasks on the vehicle. The pit 1 is defined by side walls 3, end walls 7 and a floor 5. The depth of the pit 1 is selected to enable a maintenance worker to assess the underside of the vehicle when the vehicle is resting on the ground surrounding the pit 1 while standing, and without stooping. The pit 1 further includes steps (not shown) located at one end to enable access to and exit from the pit 1.

The pit 1 is provided with a safety cover 4. The safety cover 4 prevents workers from accidently falling into the pit when not covered by a vehicle in use, thereby preventing or mitigating injury. The safety cover 4 is movable between a cover position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a stored position, and shown in Figure 4.

The safety cover 4 comprises a cover sheet 10 and plurality of support rods 12 sliding supported in guide rails 8. The guide rails 8 are fixed to the side walls 3 of the pit 1, and comprise substantially a u-shaped sections. The support rods 12 include wheels 14 at their ends which are received within the ushaped guide rails 8 and allow the support rods 12 to slide within the guide rails 8. The guide rails 8 include flange sections 9 which retain the wheels 14 within the guide rails 8. The support rods 12 are preferable formed from round steel bar and are configured to extend across the pit 1 between the guide rails 8.

The cover sheet 10 is formed from a flexible material and supported is supported over the pit 1 by the support rods 12. The flexible sheet is preferably formed from a fire retardant plastic mesh, but may alternatively be formed from a fabric sheet such as canvas, or any other suitable flexible material capable of supporting the weight of a falling person. The width of the cover sheet 10 is less than the length of the support rods 12 but such that it extends substantially across the entire width of the pit 1, with a clearance gap being provided to prevent interference of the sheet 10 with the side walls 3 or guide rails 8.

The flexible cover sheet 10 includes a plurality of pockets 16 spaced at regular intervals along the length of the sheet 10. The pockets 16 comprise tubular sections configured to each receive a support rod 12, which are connected to the lower surface of the sheet 10. As such, when the support rods 12 are inserted through the pockets, the cover sheet 10 lays on top of the support rods. Alternatively, the pockets 16 maybe formed by the cover sheet 10 itself, with the cover sheet 10 comprising upper and lower layers, and the pockets 16 being formed between the two layers.

The pockets 16 are configured to rotate relative to the support rods 12 received within the pockets 16. A support bar 12 is provided corresponding to each pocket 16. As such, when the support bars 12 are inserted within the pockets 16 they are connected to and support the cover sheet 10 at regular intervals along its length, as shown in Figure 2.

Individual cover sheet sections lOa are defined by the sheet sections spanning between each support member 12. In the stored position, each cover sheet section lOa hangs loosely from its respective support members 12. As can be seen in Figure 3, the multiple support members 12 cause the cover sheet sections lOa to form a concertina style zig-zag folded arrangement in the stored position This advantageously limits the depth to which each of the folded cover sheet sections 1 Oa sags, with an increased number of support members 12 corresponding to a shorter sheet sections lOa and hence a reduction in the depth of sag. Limiting the depth of sag of the sheet sections lOa mitigates against the sheet becoming caught against objects such as pit jacks located within the pit 1 which can hinder retraction and lead to damage of the sheet 10.

The safety cover 4 includes a housing 20 for housing the cover 10 when in the stored position In the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 20 is defined by a stepped section of the pit 1. The housing 20 further comprises a lid (not shown), to obscure the stored section of the sheet 10 from view when within the housing 24.

Alternatively, the housing 20 may comprise a casing, which is fixed to an end wall 7 of the pit 1. The height of the housing section 20 is selected to accommodate to the maximum depth of sag of the sheet sections 1 Oa when in the stored position.

As shown in Figure 2, a plurality of locking holes 15 is arranged along the length of each guide rail 8. The locking holes 15 are configured to receive locking pins 18 such that the locking pins extend through the guide rail 8 to block movement of the support rods 12 within the guide rail 8. The locking holes are spaced such that a wheel 14 maybe positioned between successive guide holes 15, and such that when a wheel 14 is positioned between successive guide holes 15, and locking pins 18 are pasted in both locking holes 15, the wheel 14, and enhanced the support rod 12 is prevented from moving in either direction along the length of the guide rail.

Alternatively, a separate locking rail including the locking holes 15 may be provided, which is arranged to enable the locking pins to engage directly with the support rods 12 rather than the wheels 14.

An anchoring support rod 24, defined by the support rod positioned at the end of the cover sheet 10 adjacent a first end of the pit 7, is fixed in position relative to the guide rail 8 to prevent movement along the length of the guide rail 8. The further support rods 12 are all capable of sliding movement along the hngth of the guide rail 8. A lead support rod 26 is positioned at the opposing front end of the cover sheet 10 to the anchoring support rod 24.

To extend the cover sheet 10, the lead support rod 26 is moved along the guide rail 8 away from the subsequent adjacent support rod 27 in the direction A As the first support rod 26 moves away from the adjacent support rod 27, the section of cover sheet 1 Oa extending between the support rods 26 and 27 is drawn upwards from the sagged position until it extends substantially horizontally between the support rods 26 and 27. The result of the horizontal force applied by the moving lead support rod 26 through the cover sheet section 1 Oa pulls the support rod 27 along the guide rail 8, which in turn draws upwards the next section of cover sheet 1 Oa extending to the next subsequent support rod 12. As the lead support rod 26 is drawn further along the guide rail 8, this process continues until the entire cover sheet 10 is drawn to a substantially horizontal position, �fining the fully covered position. Once ii the fully covered position, the lead support rod 24 is locked in position by a locking pin 18, and the cover sheet 10 is held taut between the lead support rod 26 and the anchoring support rod 24.

The safety wver 4 is configured such that in the fully covered position, the entire opening of the pit 1 is covered by the cover sheet 10, such that a person is prevented from falling into any part of the pit below the depth of the cover sheet 10. The support rods 12 positioned at regular intervals along the length of the cover sheet 10, prevents sagging and ensures that the cover sheet 10 is supported in the substantially horizontal position along its entire length Holding the cover sheet 10 in a taut state improves the ability of the cover sheet to effectively arrest the fall of a person. This is particularly important where machinery such as hydraulic jacks are positioned within the pit, as any sag in the cover sheet may allow a person to contact such machinery extending above the floor 5 of the pit 1, even if they have been caught by the safety cover 4.

As shown in Figure 4, as well as a stored, fully retract position, and fully covered position, the cover sheet 10 may also be extended to a partially covered position, in which some but not all of the pit is covered. This may be necessary for example when only part of the pit is covered by a vehicle, leaving a section of the pit opening exposed. To achieve a partially covered position, the lead support rod 26 is moved to the desired position along the pit 1 defining the front edge of the cover 10. A locking pin 16 is then inserted into the nearest locking hole 15 at the rear edge of the support rod 26, such that the support rod is prevented from sliding back along the guide 8 in the direction B. The foremost support rod 28 with the housing section 20 is locked in position by placing a locking pin 18 at its leading edge, to prevent movement of the support rod 28 towards the lead support rod 26. A cover section I 0c is defined by the section of the sheet 10 extending between the support rod 28 and the lead support rod 26. The location of the locking pin 18 is selected to ensure that the cover section lOc is held as taught as possible. If the cover section lOc is not fully taut, the support rod 28 may be pulled away from the lead support rod 26 until a taut cover section lOc is achieved, the support rod 28 then being locked in this.

The second sheet section lOb is retained within the housing 20 in the stored position.

The lead support bar 26 maybe provided with a separate releasable lock for selectably fixing the lead support rod 26 at any position along the guide rail 8, without being limited by the position of the locking holes 15. The releasable lock (not shown) comprises a locking lever, and a cam member connected to the support rod 26 and rotatable within the guide rail 8. The cam member is configured such that in the first unlocked position it allows the support rod 26 to slide along the guide rail 8, and in the second locked position engages the guide rail 8 to prevent movement of the support rod 26. The cam member is moved between the locked and unlocked positions by the locking lever which rotates the cam member within the guide rail 8.

It will be appreciated that in further embodiments various modifications to the specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made. For example, while the support rods are described as being round steel bars sliding on wheels within the guide rails, any suitable support bar configuration, such as square section bars may be used, as well as any suitable arrangement to enable the support members to move along the length of the guides while retaining them within the guides. In addition, although the sheet is described as being supported on top of the bars, it may alternatively be suspended beneath the support bars. The arrangement described, while suitable for a vehicle service pit, may also be applied to cover other openings to prevent injury to personnel.

Claims

CLMMS1. A safety cover for a service pit, comprising: first and second guide members configured for attachment along opposing sides of a service pit; a plurality of support members extending between said first and second guide members; and a flexible cover sheet connected to and extending between said plurality of support members; wherein said support members are supported by and are movable along the guide members, and the flexible sheet is connected to the support members such that movement of the support members along the guide members causes the flexible sheet to move between a stored position and a cover position.
2. The safety cover of claim 1 wherein the plurality of support members are connected to the flexible cover sheet at multiple spaced positions along the length of the sheet.
3. The safety cover of claim 1 or 2 comprising fixing means for holding one of the plurality of support members at a first end of the flexible cover sheet in a fixed position relative to the guide members.
4. The safety cover of claim 3 further comprising locking means for locking a second one of the plurality of support members at an opposing second end of the flexible cover sheet in fixed position relative to the guide rails to hold the flexible sheet in the cover position.
5. The safety cover of claim 4 wherein the locking means is configured to selectively lock the second support member in a plurality of positions along the length of the guide members.
6. The safety cover of claim 4 or 5 wherein the locking means is further configured for locking a third one of the plurality of support members, disposed between the first and second support members, in a second fixed position along the length of the guide members, such that the flexible cover sheet is held in the cover position between the second and third support members.
7. The safety cover of any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the locking means comprises at least one locking pin and a plurality of apertures positioned along the length of the guide members configured to receive the at least one locking pin and arranged such that insertion of the locking pin into a selected one of the apertures prevents movement of an adjacent support member relative to the guide members.
8. The safety cover of any one of claims 4 or 5 wherein the locking means comprises a locking lever and a cam member arranged to lock against one of the first and second guide members when rotated by the locking lever.
9. The safety cover of any preceding claims wherein the plurality of support members comprise support rods and the first and second guide members comprise guide rails configured to slidingly receive the support rods.
10. The safety cover of claim 9 where the support rods include wheels connected at their ends which are received by the guide rails for movement of the support rods along the length thereof.
11. The safety cover of any preceding claim further including a storage section for housing the flexible cover sheet in the stored position.
12. A service pit comprising a safety cover according to any preceding claim.
13. A safety cover for a service pit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in figures 1 to 4.
14. A service pit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in figures 1 to 4.