GB2582293A - Protective barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a protective barrier 22 for use on stairs comprising at least one panel l0 integrally formed with an attachment portion (12 figure 1) for attaching to a rail and a skirt portion (16 figure 1), wherein the attachment portion (12 figure 1) is connected to the skin portion (16 figure 1) using a laterally extending portion (14 figure 1). The attachment portion (12 figure 1) is formed as an inverted channel (18 figure 2).

Description

Title: Protective Barrier

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a protective barrier and in particular a protective barrier for use on stairs during construction of a building.

Background to the invention

When constructing buildings, particularly tall buildings, unfinished stairwells represent a health and safety risk as tools can often fall from the stairwells from great o heights with the potential to injure workers. Rigid mesh barriers can be fixed to upright posts to reduce this risk during construction but triangular gaps are left between the mesh and stairs, tools being able to pass through these gaps.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a protective barrier for use on stairs comprising at least one panel integrally formed with an attachment portion for attaching to a rail and a skirt portion, wherein the attachment portion is connected to the skirt portion using a laterally extending portion, such that the skirt is horizontally displaced from the attachment portion. This allows the attachment portion to be located on a rail fixed in relation to stairs so that at least part of the skirt sits flush to the stair edge so that tools cannot fall through gaps between the skirt and stair edge.

Preferably the attachment portion is formed as an inverted channel so as to readily locate over a rail, either being placed over a rail or slid along a rail.

The lateral portion may be inclined at an angle so as to be clear of the attachment portion and ensure ease of attachment of the attachable portion to a rail.

The skirt portion may be provided with one or more apertures, typically at a lower edge distal from the attachment means, so as to allow for securing of the panel to the edge of the stair if required.

The panel is preferably substantially solid and unbroken so that tools are not able to pass through the panel and is desirably made of composite material.

Preferably the barrier comprises a plurality of panels as aforesaid.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a panel in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the panel; o Figure 3 shows a diagram of a plurality of panels used to form a barrier; Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the barrier in use; and Figure 5 shows a detailed view showing attachment of a rail to a vertical post.

Description

Figures 1 and 2 show a panel 10 comprising attachment portion 12, lateral section 14 and skirt section 16. Attachment portion 12 is formed as an inverted U-shaped channel 18 suitable for locating over an elongate rod or rail. Lateral section 14 is downwardly angled from attachment portion 12 so as to ensure access to channel 18 is not impaired. Skirt 16 is horizontally displaced from attachment portion 12 by virtue of lateral section 14. Skirt section 16 can be provided with one or more small slots 20 so that if required panel 10 can be secured to a structure using fixing means such as screws or bolts. Panel 10 is substantially solid and unbroken, apart from optional slot 20. Post 10 is typically around lm in length and around 0.5m in height but the dimensions can be varied, for example to have a longer panel or a taller panel. Panel 10 is typically formed as one piece from composite material.

Figure 3 shows a plurality of panels 10 used to form a barrier 22 to close off an unfinished stairwell 24. Posts 26 are attached to stair landings 28 using metal plates 30 and swivel brackets 32 which incorporate a plurality of apertures 34 arranged in an arc so as to allow post 26 to be positioned at different angles to the vertical. In Figure 3, the posts are shown positioned substantially at a vertical position. Panels 10 can be slid along rails 40 or placed over them, with typically a plurality of panels being used in such a manner to allow overlapping and ensure that gaps are avoided. The lower section of skirt 16 sits flush against an edge surface 60 of the unfinished stairwell and so prevents tools dropping from the stairwell.

Telescopic rails 40 are attached to posts 26, see in particular Figures 4 and 5, using collar 42 which comprises apertured spigots 44 to which telescopic rail 40 can be attached using a linkage pin 46. Post 40 is able to rotate about spigot 44 so as to accommodate different angles of incline in a stairwell.

Telescopic rail 40 comprises an inner hollow elongate member 50 and an outer hollow o elongate member 52, with inner member 50 nesting within outer member 52 and being movable relative to outer member 52 to adjust the length of rail 40. Apertures 54 allow visual inspection to determine whereabouts inner member 50 is in relation to outer member 52. When inner member 50, typically having a bright colour, can only be seen through apertures near one end of member 54, the user knows inner member 50 has reached approximately the limit of its extension.

Claims (5)

1. Claims 1. A protective barrier for use on stairs comprising at least one panel integrally formed with an attachment portion for attaching to a rail and a skirt portion, wherein the attachment portion is connected to the skirt portion using a laterally extending portion.
2. 2. A protective barrier according to claim I, wherein the attachment portion is formed as an inverted channel.
3. 3. A protective barrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lateral portion is inclined at an angle.
4. 4. A protective barrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is substantially solid and unbroken.
5. 5. A protective barrier according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier comprises a plurality of panels.