NZ756444A - Guardrail post - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved guardrail post comprising: i) a primary post member; and ii) a secondary post member; wherein the primary post member and the secondary post member are slidingly pivotably connected and the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition. ail post from a regular condition to an extended condition.

Description

GUARDRAIL POST FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a guardrail post. More particularly, this invention relates to an extendible post for use in scaffolding and guardrail applications. The extendible post of the present invention may find particular use in temporary construction edge protection guardrail applications.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In order to protect building workers from falling, guardrail systems must be provided for workers who undertake work at height.

According to the relevant industry standards, guardrail systems are required to be 1,100mm high. At this height, a worker is well protected from falling over the guardrail.

Various foreign countries have similar requirements for minimum height of a guardrail.

Further standards surround the minimum force that a guardrail must be able to endure before deforming or dislodging from the base to which it is attached. Such standards must be met, or exceeded, by every guardrail system.

The present inventor has discovered that in many new buildings, building workers on upper levels work on elevated platforms. However, the standard guardrail height of 1,100mm appears to be insufficient to provide such workers with adequate fall protection.

Simply providing longer guardrail posts is impractical, since the building contractor would need to supply both regular and long guardrail posts, which would be expensive and inconvenient.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved or alternative guardrail systems that may be used to provide protection for workers who undertake work on upper floors and rooves on elevated platforms or ladders.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to a guardrail post that is movable from a regular condition to an extended condition.

In one form, although it need not be the only or broadest form, the present invention provides a guardrail post guardrail post comprising: i) a primary post member; and ii) a secondary post member; wherein the primary post member and the secondary post member are slidingly pivotably connected and the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition.

Preferably, pivoting of the secondary post member is achieved by use of a slidable pivot arrangement.

Preferably, when the guardrail post is in the extended condition, one or more fixing means may be employed to reversibly fix the guardrail post in the extended condition.

Preferably, the fixing means comprises one or more pins or other elongate members that may be passed through one or more openings that are suitably aligned when the guardrail post is in the extended condition.

Pivoting of the secondary post member relative to the primary post member is preferably achieved either in a direction parallel to the direction of the guardrail, or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the guardrail.

In order to pivot the secondary post member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the guardrail, the axis about which the pivoting occurs must be parallel to the direction of the guardrail. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the primary post member comprises a substantially U-shaped or a C-shaped cross-section, whereby the primary post member comprises a rail-support face and two opposed side faces perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the rail-support face comprises a plurality of rail attachment members. Preferably, the secondary post member is receivable within, or nestable within, the substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section of the primary post member, when the guardrail post is in the regular condition. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section of the primary post member further includes flanges to reinforce the primary post member, whereby it satisfies the relevant industry standards in respect of load.

Preferably, each of the two opposed side faces of the primary post member comprises a guide slot; and the secondary post member includes guide means which are adapted to be received within a respective guide slot; whereby the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis formed by the guide means to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition.

Alternatively, the secondary post member includes two guide slots; and each of the two opposed side faces of the primary post member comprises guide means which are adapted to be received within a respective guide slot; whereby the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis formed by the guide means to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition.

In certain embodiments, the primary and secondary post members are adapted to receive a fixing means whereby the guardrail is reversibly fixable in the extended condition.

In order to pivot the secondary post member in a direction parallel to the direction of the guardrail post, the axis about which the pivoting occurs must be substantially perpendicular to the direction of the guardrail post. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the primary post member may comprise a substantially U-shaped or a C-shaped cross- section, whereby the primary post member comprises a rail-support face and two side faces, wherein the rail support face is opposite a first side face, and a second side face is positioned therebetween. Preferably, the rail-support face comprises a plurality of rail attachment members. Preferably, the secondary post member is receivable within, or nestable within, the substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section of the primary post member, when the guardrail post is in the regular condition.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the guardrail post comprises (i) a primary post member, which may be used in the manner of a standard guardrail post and having an effective height of approximately 1.1 metres, as required by the relevant safety regulations; and (ii) a secondary post member that is generally receivable within the primary post member when the guardrail post is in the regular condition, and may be swung upwardly whereby the guardrail post is placed in the extended condition and extends the effective height of the guardrail post to approximately 2 metres.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the guardrail post comprises i) a primary post member comprising a base plate and two guide slots; and ii) a secondary post member comprising guide means which are adapted to be received within the guide slots, and openings adapted to receive fixing means therethrough; wherein the primary post member and the secondary post member are slidingly pivotably connected and the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition wherein the guide means forms the axis, and wherein the primary and secondary post members further comprise brackets for receiving rails and/or kickboards.

The present invention further provides a method of installing and using a guardrail post of the present invention.

Further aspects and/or features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein: Figure 1 is a series of photographs illustrating one embodiment of a guardrail post according to the invention. The series of photographs illustrates the exemplary guardrail post being moved from the regular condition (A), through (B, C and D) to the extended condition (E).

Figure 2 is a series of diagrams illustrating one embodiment of a guardrail post according to the invention. The series of diagrams illustrates the exemplary guardrail post being moved from the regular condition (A), through (B) to the extended condition (C).

Figure 3 is a plan view diagram from above, of a primary post member (A) and a secondary post member (B), illustrating one embodiment of a guardrail post according to the invention. The arrow indicates how the secondary post member may nest within the primary post member.

Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The following description will focus on the guardrail post and its mechanism of extension, since it is assumed that the skilled addressee will readily understand that the guardrail post will include means by which the substantially horizontal guardrails may be attached to the guardrail post, when in use. The skilled addressee will also understand that the guardrail post must be constructed from a suitably strong material in order to comply with relevant safety standards. Typically, a guardrail post is made predominantly of steel.

Further, the skilled person will readily understand that the guardrail post must be suitably attached to the building in order to comply with relevant safety standards. In the specific embodiment shown in the accompanying illustrations, such attachment is achieved through a base plate, as discussed further below.

The embodiments described and illustrated herein are provided by way of example only, and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a guardrail post that is movable from a regular condition (Figures 1A and 2A) to an extended condition (Figures 1E and 2C). The present invention is of significant advantage because the guardrail post can be used in its extended condition to increase effective height of a guardrail, thereby providing added safety to workers working at height, and especially those working on elevated platforms.

Alternatively, the guardrail post of the present invention may also be used in its regular condition, at the industry standard height, as required. The guardrail post is readily movable from the regular condition to the extended condition in situ, as needs change on a building site, thereby reducing the time required to provide the additional height to the guardrail. A particular advantage of the guardrail of the present invention is that no additional components are required to achieve the extended height. For building site operators, this means that no additional components require storage until extension is required. Some prior art systems include telescopic arrangements wherein the additional component must be inserted into the top of a base section when the extension is required. It will be apparent from the following description that the first and second post members of the present invention are not readily able to be disassembled. The guardrail of the present invention therefore provides the site operator with significant advantages.

The illustrated embodiment of the guardrail post 100 according to the present invention includes brackets 101 by which substantially horizontal guardrails (not illustrated) may be attached to the guardrail post 100, when in use. The guardrail post 100 of the present invention may also include brackets 102 by which substantially horizontal kickboards (not illustrated) may be attached to the guardrail post 100, when in use. The attachment to and arrangement of the guardrails and kickboards on the post are common to guardrail posts and are not further discussed here.

Preferably, the guardrail post comprises (i) a primary post member 110 and (ii) a secondary post member 120. The primary post member 110 may be used in the manner of a standard guardrail post and having an effective height of approximately 1.1 metres, as required by the relevant safety regulations. The secondary post member 120 allows the effective height of the guardrail post 100 to be extended to approximately 2 metres. This extension is preferably achieved by the secondary post member 120 being swung upwardly and then fixed in a substantially vertical orientation (Figures 1A to E), viz. the extended condition.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the primary post member 110 comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section (see Figures 1B to D, 3A), whereby the primary post member 110 comprises a rail support face 111 and two opposed side faces 112 perpendicular thereto, and the secondary post member 120 is receivable within the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the primary post member 110, when the guardrail post 100 is in the regular condition (Figure 1A). In further embodiments of the present invention, the primary post member 110 may further include one or more flanges 113 extending from one or more of the opposed side faces 112 in order to provide additional strength or reinforcement to the primary post member.

Accordingly, in order to effect the “swinging up” of the secondary post member, the fixed and secondary post members 110,120 are pivotally connected via the two opposed side faces 112 of the primary post member 110, and corresponding side faces 122 of the secondary post member 120.

The primary post member 110 has a top end 114 and a lower end 115. The top end 114 of the primary post member 110 is adapted to pivotally connect to the secondary post member 120. The lower end 115 of the primary post member 110 is adapted to be releasably fixed to a floor, ground or other mounting in order to construct a guardrail assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting comprises a base plate 116 to provide support and a means of fixing the post at a location, for example to the floor or the ground. Alternative mountings may include clamps. The skilled person will readily recognize the need for a suitable mounting and its type, depending on the application for which the post is being used.

In some embodiments it is screwed or bolted to a solid structure, in others it may be clamped, for example. Such mounting must be made in accordance with the relevant safety standards.

In the accompanying illustrations, the lower end 115 of the primary post member 110 is adapted to be fixed to a floor or other substantially horizontal surface via a base plate 116.

In alternative embodiments, the lower end 115 of the primary post member 110 may be adapted to be fixed to alternative mounting arrangements, such as, but not limited to, brackets for attaching to the eaves of rooves, or to rafters. The secondary post member 120 has a first end 124 and a second end 125. The first end 124 of the secondary post member 120 is adapted to be pivotally connected to the primary post member 110. The second end 125 of the secondary post member 120 is distal to the first end 124 of the secondary post member 120.

In order to provide additional strength to the guardrail post 100, in some embodiments, one or more gussets 119 may be used to join the primary post member 110 to the base plate 116.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, it is preferred that the primary post member 110 comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section. As discussed above, such an arrangement allows the secondary post member 120 to be received, or nested, within the primary post member 110 in order to keep the guardrail post 100 to a standard height (the regular condition) and not substantially bulkier than a standard, non-extendible guardrail post. It will be apparent to the skilled person, that the inclusion of the secondary post member 120 will add weight to the guardrail post 100 of the present invention, in comparison to a standard, non-extendible guardrail post. In preferred embodiments, the secondary post member 120 may comprise a square, rectangular or a substantially U-shaped cross-section (see Figure 3B). Like the primary post member 110, the secondary post member 120, in such embodiments, also comprises a rail support face 121 and two opposed side faces 122 perpendicular thereto. Accordingly, the pivotal connection of the fixed and secondary post members 110,120 occurs between the two opposed side faces 112 of the primary post member 110 and the two opposed side faces 122 of the secondary post member 120.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pivotal connection of the fixed and secondary post members 110,120 requires a certain amount of overlap between the fixed and secondary post members 110,120 in order to provide strength to the extended guardrail post (Figures 1E and 2C) whereby the guardrail post 100 will be able to substantially resist and restrain objects falling onto or against a guardrail attached thereto.

In order to effect such an overlap, the inventor has developed a slidable pivot arrangement comprising substantially vertical guide slots 117 within which guide means 127 may slidably move, and openings 128 which align with the substantially vertical guide slots 117 in the extended condition and through which a fixing means 129 may be passed in order to fix the guardrail post 100 in the extended condition.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the guide slots 117 may be in the order of 120 to 250 mm in length. The distance between the guide means 127 and openings 128 must be no greater than the length of the guide slots 117, otherwise the openings 128 will not be accessible through the guide slots 117 when the post 100 is in the extended condition. In preferred embodiments, the guide slots 117 are approximately 150 mm in length and the distance between the guide means 127 and openings 128 is also approximately 150 mm. The distance between the guide means 127 and openings 128 provides the overlap referred to above, in order to provide strength to the guardrail post 100 in the extended condition (Figures 1E and 2C).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide slots 117 are located near the top end 114 of the two opposed side faces 112 of the primary post member 110.

Correspondingly, the guide means 127, for example guide pins or a shaft passing through the secondary post member 120, are adapted to be received in and slidable along the guide slots 117. The guide means 127 are positioned near a first end 124 of the secondary post member 120. The openings 128 through which the fixing means 129 are to be passed, are located further from the first end 124 of the secondary post member 120 than are the guide means 128.

When the guardrail post 100 is in the regular condition (Figure 1A), the secondary post member 120 is received or nested within the U-shape of the primary post member 110 and the first end 124 of the secondary post member 120 is located near the top 114 of the primary post member 110, whereby the guide means 127 is positioned in an upper region of the guide slots 117.

Lifting a second end 125 of the secondary post member 120 causes the secondary post member 120 to pivot around the guide means 127, and the guide means 127 is able to slide to a lower region of the guide slots 117 (see Figure 1C). When the secondary post member 120 is substantially vertical and the second end 125 is above the first end 124, the guide means 127 is located at and resting on the bottom of the guide slots 117 and the openings 128, through which the fixing means 129 are to be passed, are located in, and visible through, the upper region of the guide slots 117. The resting of the guide means 127 on the bottom of the guide slots 117 prevents the secondary post member 120 from sliding downwards relative to the primary post member 110 when the guardrail post 100 is in the extended condition. In order to fix the guardrail post 100 in the extended condition, a fixing means 129 is passed through the openings 128, thereby preventing the secondary post member 120 from returning to the regular condition due to gravity.

In order to return the guardrail post 100 to the regular condition, the fixing means 129 may be removed and the second end 125 to the secondary post member 120 swung downwardly.

In a further, non-illustrated, embodiment of the present invention, the guide slots are located near the first end of the two opposed side faces of the primary post member.

Correspondingly, the guide means, for example guide pins, are adapted to be received in and slidable along the guide slots. The guide means are positioned near the upper end of the primary post member. The openings through which the fixing means are to be passed, are located further from the upper end of the primary post member than are the guide means.

When the guardrail post is in the regular condition, the secondary post member is received or nested within the U-shape of the primary post member and the first end of the secondary post member is located near the top of the primary post member, whereby the guide means is positioned in a region of the guide slots nearest the first end.

Lifting a second end of the secondary post member causes the secondary post member to pivot around the guide means, and the guide slot is able to slide relative to the guide means, whereby the guide means are received in the region of the guide slots furthest from the first end. When the secondary post is substantially vertical and the second end is above the first end, the guide means is located in a region of the guide slots furthest from the first end and the openings, through which the fixing means are to be passed, are located in, and visible through, the region of the guide slots nearest the first end. In this position, the top of the guide slots are resting on the guide means. The resting of the top of the guide slots on the guide means prevents the secondary post member from sliding downwards relative to the primary post member when the guardrail post is in the extended condition. In order to fix the guardrail post in the extended condition, a fixing means is passed through the openings, thereby preventing the secondary post member from returning to the regular condition due to gravity.

In order to return the guardrail post to the regular condition, the fixing means may be removed and the second end to the secondary post member swung downwardly.

Reference to the post members comprising a particular cross-sectional shape is not to be taken as a specific requirement for the practice of the present invention. Persons skilled in the relevant art may readily adapt the presently disclosed invention to use alternative shapes, such further embodiments will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that the pivotal connection of the primary and secondary post members allows the guardrail post of the present invention to be moved from the regular condition to the extended condition. The slidable pivot arrangement allows the guardrail post of the present invention to adopt either a regular height or an extended height, wherein the extended height is determined by the length of the secondary post member. Further, the use of the slidable pivot arrangement described herein permits the convenient incorporation of the secondary post member within the guardrail post.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the skilled person may use the following method for using a post of the present invention in the regular condition: • Bolt the base plate 116 to floor (e.g. concrete slab) using suitable fasteners, such as 75 mm wedge bolts or coil expansion anchors; • Install 3 rows of rails and kickboard through appropriate brackets 101, 102.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the skilled person may use the following method for using a post of the present invention in the extended condition: • Bolt the base plate 116 to floor (e.g. concrete slab) using suitable fasteners, such as 75 mm wedge bolts or coil expansion anchors; • Swing secondary post member 120 180° to a substantially vertical orientation whereby guide means 127 slides to the bottom of the guide slot 117; • Slide fixing means 129 through openings 128 aligned with top of the guide slot 117; and • Install 5 rows of rails and kickboard through appropriate brackets 101, 102.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the skilled person may use the following alternative method for using a post of the present invention in the extended condition: • Bolt the base plate 116 to floor (e.g. concrete slab) using suitable fasteners, such as 75 mm wedge bolts or coil expansion anchors; • Install 5 rows of rails and kickboard through appropriate brackets 101, 102; • Swing secondary post member 120 180° to a substantially vertical orientation whereby guide means 127 slides to the bottom of the guide slot 117; and • Slide fixing means 129 through openings 128 aligned with top of the guide slot 117.

In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A guardrail post comprising: i) a primary post member; and ii) a secondary post member; wherein the primary post member and the secondary post member are slidingly pivotably connected and the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition.

2. The guardrail post of claim 1, wherein the primary post member comprises a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section.

3. The guardrail post of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the secondary post member is receivable within the substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section of the primary post member.

4. The guardrail post of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the primary post member comprises a rail-support face and two opposed side faces perpendicular thereto.

5. The guardrail post of claim 4, wherein each of the two opposed side faces of the primary post member comprises a guide slot.

6. The guardrail post of claim 5, wherein the secondary post member includes guide means which are adapted to be received within a respective guide slot.

7. The guardrail post of claim 4, wherein each of the two opposed side faces of the primary post member comprises guide means.

8. The guardrail post of claim 7, wherein the secondary post member includes guide slots which are adapted to receive the guide means.

9. The guardrail post of claim 6 or claim 8, wherein the guide means forms the axis about which the secondary post member pivots from the regular condition to the extended condition.

10. The guardrail post of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the primary and secondary post members are adapted to receive a fixing means whereby the guardrail post is reversibly fixable in the extended condition.

11. The guardrail post of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the primary and secondary post members include a plurality of brackets by which substantially horizontal guardrails may be attached to the guardrail post when in use.

12. The guardrail post of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the guardrail post is a temporary edge protection guardrail post.

13. Use of the guardrail post of any one of claims 1 to 12 for temporary, construction edge protection guardrail applications.

14. A method of installing a temporary edge protection guardrail post, the post comprising i) a primary post member comprising a base plate and two guide slots; and ii) a secondary post member comprising guide means which are adapted to be received within the guide slots, and openings adapted to receive fixing means therethrough; wherein the primary post member and the secondary post member are slidingly pivotably connected and the secondary post member is pivotable about an axis to move the guardrail post from a regular condition to an extended condition wherein the guide means forms the axis, and wherein the primary and secondary post members further comprise brackets for receiving rails and/or kickboards; the method comprising: • fixing the base plate to a solid surface using a plurality of fasteners; • swinging a secondary post member of the post 180° to a substantially vertical orientation whereby the guide means slide to the bottom of the guide slots; • sliding a fixing means through the openings aligned with the guide slot; and • installing rails and kickboard through the brackets.