GB2487735A - Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights - Google Patents
Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2487735A GB2487735A GB1101710.0A GB201101710A GB2487735A GB 2487735 A GB2487735 A GB 2487735A GB 201101710 A GB201101710 A GB 201101710A GB 2487735 A GB2487735 A GB 2487735A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- safety rail
- safety
- section
- module
- rail section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B35/00—Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
- A62B35/0043—Lifelines, lanyards, and anchors therefore
- A62B35/005—Vertical lifelines
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B35/00—Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C1/00—Ladders in general
- E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
- E06C1/04—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees
- E06C1/08—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees multi-part
- E06C1/10—Sections fitted end to end
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
- E06C7/18—Devices for preventing persons from falling
- E06C7/186—Rail or rope for guiding a safety attachment, e.g. a fall arrest system
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
- E06C7/18—Devices for preventing persons from falling
- E06C7/186—Rail or rope for guiding a safety attachment, e.g. a fall arrest system
- E06C7/187—Guiding rail
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Ladders (AREA)
Abstract
A number of modules 2 are attachable to each other to provide access at elevated heights. Each module is provided with a safety rail section 3 forming part of a safety rail system. Each safety rail section is configured to connect to the safety rail section of an adjacent module when said adjacent modules are attached together. This may be via a sleeve at the lower end 9 co-operating with the adjacent rail section. In an alternative aspect, a safety rail is made up of discreet sections that are configured to be attached to a structure. Each section has co-operating means at each end so as to form a continuous rail.
Description
Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights
Description
The present invention relates to apparatus for providing access at elevated heights and to a method of assembling such an apparatus. The present invention also relates to a safety rail that may be attached to an existing structure.
Workmen who need to gain access to elevated areas local to potential fall hazards are generally required by health and safety regulations to be equipped with an appropriate safety system such as a fall restraint or fall arrest system so that in the event of a slip or fall potential injury or fatality can be prevented. These systems typically involve the workman wearing a harness attached via a lanyard and a safety clip to a safety rail mounted vertically or at an angle to a building. Fall arrest systems enable the workman to move relatively, unrestrained because as the workman moves upwards the lanyard pulls on the clip such that the clip freely slides along the safety rail. Typically the safety clip is configured to be prevented from sliding downwards along the safety rail so that if the workman were to fall the safety clip would arrest the fall.
Fall arrest systems are necessary to protect workmen using apparatus that is erected by a user as he climbs it. Examples of such apparatus include modular ladders or self assembly towers or scaffolds that comprise separate modules attachable to oue another. In these cases, a safety rail is either mounted on the wall of a building or attached to the apparatus after it has been erected. Typically, the safety rail is one continuous component attached to the wall or structure at its start and end points.
A disadvantage with this system is that a workman is not protected \vhilst climbing until he has installed a safety rail to the wall or to the apparatus itself and thereafter attached his safety clip to it. Therefore, a workman who is in the process of erecting an apparatus or who has erected the apparatus and is subsequently attaching a safety rail system to it or the associated building or scaffolding is not protected from a slip or fall.
Furthermore, installing a safety tail is time consuming as it has to be secured to a building using bolts. Therefore, known fall arrest systems may not always be convenient in particular if the structure is not suitable for securing the rail or if imminent access to elevated height is required.
The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially alleviate the aforementioned problems mentioned above.
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing access at elevated heights, said apparatus comprising a plurality of modules, adjacent modules being attachable to each other to provide said access, wherein each module is provided with a safety rail section forming part of a safety rail system, wherein the safety rail section of each module is configured such that it connects to the safety rail section of an adjacent module when said adjacent modules are attached to each other.
The safety rail section may be integral with, or permanently attached to, each module.
In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a modular ladder. The modules may then comprise two parallel bars having rungs extending therebetween, the bars having cooperating elements at each end for attaching adjacent modules together.
Preferably, the cooperating elements include openings at the end of the bars of one module which receives coupling members protruding from the bars of an adjacent module. The safety rail section may be connected to one of the bars of its module.
Preferably, each safety rail section is formed with cooperating means at each end for attaching adjacent safety rail sections of adjacent modules together.
Conveniently, the cooperating means of each safety rail section comprises a sleeve at one end for receiving the opposite end of a safety rail section of another module when said adjacent modules are attached to each other so as to form a continuous safety rail running along side the attached modules.
Preferably, a safety rail section is attached to its associated module by connecting means.
In one embodiment, the connecting means has a thickness that is smaller than the diameter of the safety tail section in at least a region where the connecting means meets the safety rail section.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling an apparatus for providing access at elevated heights, said apparatus comprising a plurality of modules in which adjacent modules are attachable to each other to provide said access, each module being provided with a safety rail section forming part of a safety rail system, the method including the step of coupling the safety rail section of adjacent modules together at the same time as coupling said is adjacent modules.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a safety rail for a fall arrest system, the safety rail comprising a plurality of discrete safety rail sections configured to be attached to a structure, the safety rail sections being formed with cooperating means at each end such that a section can be connected to an adjacent section so as to form a continuous safety rail.
Preferably, the cooperating means of each safety rail section comprises a sleeve at one end for receiving the opposite end of an adjacent safety rail section so as to form a continuous safety rail.
Conveniently, the safety rail sections are formed with connecting means for attaching the safety rail sections to the structure.
The connecting means may have a thickness that is smaller than the diameter of the safety rail in at least a region where the connecting means meets the safety rail.
The safety rail sections may he attached to the structure using clamps.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a safety rail system on a structure, the safety rail system comprising a plurality of discrete safety rail sections in which adjacent sections are attachable to each other to form a continuous safety rail, the method including the step of attaching a safety rail section to the structure and to an adjacent safety rail section previously attached to said structure so as to form a continuous safety rail.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of two modules of a modular ladder system according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of a module of the ladder system as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows alternative cross sections of a safety rail section forming part of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a safety rail section forming part of the invention; Figure 5 shows another safety rail section; and Figure 6 shows a connection element for securing a safety rail to a module according to the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2 modules 2 of a ladder system I which slot together to form a ladder of desired height. Each module is provided with a safety rail section 3 to which a user can attach their safety clip such that the user can safely assemble the ladder system I as he climbs up the modules. The ladder system may include any number of modules 2.
Each module 2 comprises a first and a second bar 4, 5 \vhich are parallel and spaced at a distance from one another. A plurality of rungs 6 extends between the two bars 4, 5 so as to form steps. At an upper end 7 of the modules 2 a portion of the bars 4, is displaced inwardly and at a lower end 8 of each module tile bars are made hollow. By inserting the upper end of the bars of a first module into the hollow lower end of the bars of a second module the modules 2 can he connected and assembled to form a ladder of desired height. It should be appreciated that alternative cooperating elements to connect the modules may be used. Furthermore, a locking system (not shown) may be provided to lock the modules together.
A safety rail section 3 is connected parallel to the first bar 4 of each module 2 using connecting elements 11, The connecting elements 11 comprise fiat sections connecting the safety rail 3 to the first bar 4. The thickness of the connecting elements II is smaller than the diameter of the safety rail 3 so that a safety clip (not shown) can slide over the connecting elements 11 as a workman climbs up the ladder 1.
The safety rail section 3 and the connecting elements II may be integrally formed with each module 2, Alternatively, safety rail sections 3 may be fitted or installed to the modules 2 via the connecting elements 11. For example, Figure 4 illustrates a safety rail section 3 having a plurality of connecting elements. Each connecting element is provided with two holes 1 lb for receiving bolts or screws so as to fasten the safety rail sections 3 to corresponding holes (not shown) formed in the modules.
An alternative safety rail section is also shown in Figure 5 in which each connecting element comprises two securing regions that are perpendicular to one another, each securing region being formed with two holes llb. Furthermore, in Figure 6 another alternative connecting element is shown wherein the safety rail section 3 is configured to be fed through a tube ha of the connecting element and thereafter bolts or screws are passed through the two holes lib and attached to corresponding holes (not shown) in the ladder system. As the safety rail is formed in discrete sections 3 associated \vith each module 2, it is envisaged that once a safety tail section 3 has been attached to a module 2, there will be no need to detach it from said module 2, even when the ladder system is disassembled. Therefore, the safety rail section 3 can be permanently attached to, or integral with, its associated module.
The safety rail comprises cooperating means in that a lower end 9 of each safety rail section 3 is provided with a sleeve 9b so that it cau receive an upper end 10 of a safety rail section 3 of another module 2 as the modules are assembled. As a result, a ladder system of desired height can be assembled as described above having a -6-F continuous safety tail by connecting the upper end 10 of the safety rail section 3 of a first module to a sleeve of a lower end 9 of a safety tail section 3 of a second module 2 and so forth. Preferably, the safety rail sections of adjacent modules are attachable to each other at the same time as the adjacent modules are attached to each other. This means that the safety rail sections do not need to be coupled separately to attachment of adjacent modules. On the contrary, the attachment of adjacent safety rail sections 3 occurs simultaneously with attachment of adjacent modules 2 to each other and the workman does not have to carry out a separate task of equipping an assembled ladder system with a safety rail system.
It should be understood that the diameter of the sleeve is sufficiently small so that in an assembled ladder system, a workman's safety clip can easily slide along a safety rail section of a first module, over a sleeve, onto a safety rail of a second module.
Operation of the ladder system \vill now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The ladder system is operated by a user positioning a first module 2 against the structure he wishes to climb. The first module may be secured to the ground or to the structure with securing means (not shown). Thereafter the user connects his safety clip (not shown) to the safety rail section 3 of the first module 2 and climbs approximately half way up the first module. The user then connects a second module 2 to the first module 2 by inserting the upper end 7 of the bars of a first module 2 into the hollow lower end 8 of the bars of a second module 2. At the same time as coupling the modules 2, the user also inserts the upper end 10 of the safety rail section 3 of the first module 2 into the sleeve of the lower end 9 of the safety rail section 3 of the second module 2. The two modules 2 are thereby connected having a continuous safety rail enabling the user to climb up to the second module 2 and repeat the procedure until the ladder system is of a desired height.
It should be appreciated that ladder system may also be attached to scaffolding rather than to the wall of a structure. Scaffolding clips (not shown) or other means for securely attaching the modules 2 to the scaffolding may be used.
An advantage of the ladder system according to the present invention is that a user can assemble the ladder system whilst proceeding to climb up the ladder system vithout jeopardising their safety. This makes the ladder system suitable for construction of buildings as a workman can safely access newly built sections at elevated heights that are not yet provided with a safety rail. Furthermore, the ladder can also be used to safely access elevated heights of existing structures that are not equipped with a safety system. The ladder system may also be used temporarily and so avoiding the need to having to permanently install a safety system to the structure which may leave unwanted holes or marks where a safety rail has been secured. As the ladder system is provided with a safety rail 3, the ladder system can be assembled and prepared for use at a faster rate than traditional systems where the safety rail has to be installed separately to the building or scaffolding itself.
In alternative un-illustrated embodiments, the safety rail sections 3 may be connected to the second bar 5 or the rungs 6 and should preferably be located to the sides of the ladder system so that it does not obstruct a user climbing up and down the ladder system 1.
The cross section of the safety rail sections 3 may vary depending on the safety clip attached to it. For example, the cross section of the safety rail sections may be triangular, circular or oval. In Figure 3, ten alternative cross sections of the safety rail sections are sho\vn.
It will be appreciated that the concept of having safety rail sections attached to modules do not only include ladders but any type of self assembly system which involves building a system as you climb it, such as a self assembly tower or scaffold.
For example, self assembly towers comprising modules of scaffolding being integrally formed with or retrospectively fitted with safety rail sections fall within the scope of the present invention. Self assembly towers comprising modules having safety rail sections according to the present invention function in a similar manner to the ladder system described above and so provide the advantage of that a user can assemble the tower whilst proceeding to climb up the tower without jeopardising their safety.
Furthermore, the present invention also includes safety rail sections 3 being fitted to an already pre-existing structure or self assembly system such as a ladder or self assembly tower. For example, a pre-built structure or self assembly system which does not have a safety rail can be fitted with sections of safety rail as described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 as the user climbs up the pre-built structure or system.
The user would first attach a first safety rail section 3 to the structure or system via the connecting elements 11 of the safety tail section 3 and thereafter attach his safety clamp to the rail. Alternatively the safety rail section can be clamped (clamps not shown) on to the structure or self assembly system. As the user climbs up the structure or system he would attach a second or adjacent safety rail section to the first safety rail section by cooperating means as discussed above and also fastening the safety rail section on to the structure or system. The user would continue the process until he has reached the desired height. As each safety rail section is installed entirely independently of the other safety rail sections, the user can rely on each of the installed sections for safety whilst continuing to install further sections above them.
In contrast to a conventional safety rail which only provides protection from a fall when the start and end points of the rail have been fastened to the structure or system, the present invention provides safety for a user as he climbs up the structure or system by successively attaching the discrete sections of safety rail to the structure or system. Advantageously, the discrete sections when attached to the structure or system form a continuous safety rail obviating the need for a user to disconnect and attach his safety clamp to another safety rail in order to climb further up the structure or system.
Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will he appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the above exemplary embodiments that lie within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims (10)
- Claims 1. Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights, said apparatus comprising a plurality of modules, adjacent modules being attachable to each other to provide said access, wherein each module is provided with a safety rail section forming part of a safety rail system, wherein the safety rail section of each module is configured such that it connects to the safety rail section of an adjacent module when said adjacent modules are attached to each other.
- 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the safety rail section is integral with, or permanently attached to, each module.
- 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a ladder system.
- 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the modules comprises two parallel bars having rungs extending therebetween, the bars having cooperating elements at each end for attaching adjacent modules together.
- 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, \vherein the cooperating elements include openings at the end of the bars of one module which receives coupling members protruding from the bars of an adjacent module.
- 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the safety rail section is connected to one of the bars of its module.
- 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each safety rail section is formed with cooperating means at each end for attaching adjaceut safety rail sections of adjacent modules together.
- 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, \vherein the cooperating means of each safety rail section comprises a sleeve at one end for receiving the opposite end of a safety rail section of another module when said adjacent modules are attached to each other so as to form a continuous safety rail running along side the attached modules
- 9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a safety rail section is attached to its associated module by connecting means.
- 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the connecting means has a thickness that is smaller than the diameter of the safety rail section in at least a region vhere the connecting means meets the safety rail section. /011. A method of assembling apparatus for providing access at elevated heights, said apparatus comprising a plurality of modules in which adjacent modules are attachable to each other to provide said access, each module being provided \vith a safety rail section forming part of a safety rail system, the method including the step /5 of coupling the safety rail section of adjacent modules together at the same time as coupling said adjacent modules.12. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.13. A safety rail for a fall arrest system, the safety rail comprising a plurality of discrete safety rail sections configured to be attached to a structure, the safety rail sections being formed with cooperating means at each end such that a section can be connected to an adjacent section so as to form a continuous safety rail.14. A safety rail system according to claim 13, wherein the cooperating means of each safety rail section comprises a sleeve at one end for receiving the opposite end of an adjacent safety rail section so as to form a continuous safety rail.15. A safety rail system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the safety rail sections are formed with connecting means for attaching the safety rail sections to the structure -Il - 16. A safety rail system according to claim 15, wherein the connecting means has a thickness that is smaller than the diameter of the safety rail section in at least a region where the connecting means meets the safety rail section.17. A safety rail system according to claim 15, wherein the safety rail sections are attached to the structure using clamps.18. A method of fitting a safety rail system of a fall arrest system to a structure, the safety rail system comprising a plurality of discrete safety rail sections in which adjacent sections are attachable to each other to form a continuous safety rail, the method including the step of attaching a safety rail section to the structure and to an adjacent safety tail section previously attached to said structure so as to fotm a continuous safety rail.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1101710.0A GB2487735A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1101710.0A GB2487735A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201101710D0 GB201101710D0 (en) | 2011-03-16 |
GB2487735A true GB2487735A (en) | 2012-08-08 |
Family
ID=43824926
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB1101710.0A Withdrawn GB2487735A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Apparatus for providing access at elevated heights |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2487735A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104514486A (en) * | 2014-12-29 | 2015-04-15 | 重庆倍精科技研发有限公司 | Insertion type upright fire-fighting ladder |
CN105401873A (en) * | 2015-12-02 | 2016-03-16 | 国家电网公司 | Insulating elevator |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2610983A1 (en) * | 1987-02-13 | 1988-08-19 | Fameca Sa | Interfitting ladder formed by a plurality of ladder elements |
DE19701076C1 (en) * | 1997-01-15 | 1998-07-02 | Fahrleitungsbau Gmbh | Portable safety ladder with arrester truck |
GB2398337A (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2004-08-18 | Stephen Murten | A fall arrest system for use with a ladder |
WO2006021794A1 (en) * | 2004-08-27 | 2006-03-02 | Hadrian Iye (England) Limited | Safety rail system |
WO2007098410A2 (en) * | 2006-02-16 | 2007-08-30 | Anderson Patrick K | Ladder safety apparatus |
CN201209401Y (en) * | 2008-06-09 | 2009-03-18 | 双菱集团有限公司 | Safety aluminium ladder |
-
2011
- 2011-02-01 GB GB1101710.0A patent/GB2487735A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2610983A1 (en) * | 1987-02-13 | 1988-08-19 | Fameca Sa | Interfitting ladder formed by a plurality of ladder elements |
DE19701076C1 (en) * | 1997-01-15 | 1998-07-02 | Fahrleitungsbau Gmbh | Portable safety ladder with arrester truck |
GB2398337A (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2004-08-18 | Stephen Murten | A fall arrest system for use with a ladder |
WO2006021794A1 (en) * | 2004-08-27 | 2006-03-02 | Hadrian Iye (England) Limited | Safety rail system |
WO2007098410A2 (en) * | 2006-02-16 | 2007-08-30 | Anderson Patrick K | Ladder safety apparatus |
CN201209401Y (en) * | 2008-06-09 | 2009-03-18 | 双菱集团有限公司 | Safety aluminium ladder |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104514486A (en) * | 2014-12-29 | 2015-04-15 | 重庆倍精科技研发有限公司 | Insertion type upright fire-fighting ladder |
CN104514486B (en) * | 2014-12-29 | 2017-05-10 | 宁俊杰 | Insertion type upright fire-fighting ladder |
CN105401873A (en) * | 2015-12-02 | 2016-03-16 | 国家电网公司 | Insulating elevator |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201101710D0 (en) | 2011-03-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |