NZ761851A - Guardrail - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a guardrail suitable for use on the leading edge of a roof. More particularly, this invention relates to a guardrail assembly that is movable without requiring disassembly and is suitable for use during construction of rooves made using insulated roofing and/or wall panel systems and to suit all roof profiles. panel systems and to suit all roof profiles.

Description

GUARDRAIL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a guardrail suitable for use on the leading edge of a roof. More particularly, this invention relates to a guardrail assembly that is suitable for use during construction of rooves made using insulated roofing and/or wall panel systems and to suit all roof profiles.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The use of insulated roofing and wall panels in large buildings has improved construction times, resulting in cost savings. Insulated roofing panels have a number of advantages over conventional roof construction, including the simplicity of using a single product that is fireproof and provides insulation and waterproofing. Conventional construction required the use of safety mesh and separate installation of insulation and roofing.

As the panels have been developed, they have become significantly stronger. This has permitted a building structure to be adjusted so that the purlins are spaced further apart.

However, difficulties have arisen in respect of the installation of the panels, since barriers to protect workers were typically fixed to the purlins. The widening of the spacing between purlins therefore presents difficulties for the manufacturers and providers of safety barriers.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved or alternative leading edge guardrails and/or safety barriers to protect workers during the installation of roofing panels.

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 assembly that is suitable for use during construction of rooves made using insulated roofing and/or wall panel systems.

In a broad form, the invention relates to a movable guardrail assembly, comprising a substantially vertical barrier and a substantially horizontal base frame connected thereto at its lower end and a proximal end of the base frame.

According to a first aspect, the substantially horizontal base frame comprises a plurality of elongate base members joined to posts of the substantially vertical barrier.

The movable guardrail assembly of the first aspect preferably comprises a plurality of base supports, wherein each base support is releasably fixable to a roof surface and permits movement of an elongate base member therebetween.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a guardrail assembly for temporary installation on a roof, comprising a substantially vertical barrier and a substantially horizontal base frame connected thereto, wherein: the barrier comprises a plurality of substantially vertical posts and a plurality of substantially horizontal rails; and the base frame comprises a plurality of elongate base members; and wherein the guardrail assembly is releasably fixable to, and readily movable across the roof. In particular, there is no need for disassembly of the guardrail assembly prior to moving it across the roof.

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 photograph illustrating one embodiment of a guardrail assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram of a barrier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing detail of the joining of the top rail with a post according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a top rail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a mid rail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a post according to one embodiment of the present invention, detailing the joining of the rails and elongate base member to the post.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a detailed view of a base support according to one embodiment the present invention; A – from above; and B – in cross-section.

Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of the moving of a guardrail assembly according to the present invention across a roof.

Figure 11 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the invention is adapted for use across a roof.

Figure 12 shows details of the fixing of a support rail to a roof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the use of support rails in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that employs a safety rail partition.

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 THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a movable guardrail assembly, comprising a substantially vertical barrier and a substantially horizontal base frame connected thereto which may be used to provide a safety barrier for workers during the construction of a roof comprising insulated panels. The insulated panels may be specifically designed for use as roofing panels, or wall panels that are used in the construction of a roof. The present invention is of significant advantage because it can be readily moved across the roof as new panels are added.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a moveable guardrail assembly, comprising a substantially vertical barrier and a substantially horizontal base frame connected thereto. Preferably, the barrier comprises a plurality of substantially vertical posts and a plurality of substantially horizontal rails. In certain embodiments, there are three posts. The height of the posts determines the height of the barrier. The height of the barrier should be sufficient to provide protection for a worker. For example, the barrier should be approximately 1000 mm high, or other height as mandate by legislation of safety standards.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the barrier comprises three horizontal rails, comprising a top rail and at two mid rails. The top rail may be connected to the top of each posts. The mid rails may be connected to the posts at substantially even spacings between the base of the posts and the top rail. In certain embodiments, the top rail is hollow and substantially arch-shaped in cross-section; and the mid rails are substantially circular in cross-section. In alternative embodiments, the top rail and the mid rails are substantially circular in cross-section. In yet further embodiments, the rails may be of any shape cross-section, whereby the rails will not cause injury to a worker falling against them. In yet further embodiments of the present invention, the rails may be substantially square in cross-section and releasably fixed to the posts via rail holders. In all embodiments, the posts and horizontal rails of the barrier are preferably strong enough to prevent a worker falling past the barrier. The barrier may therefore be made of a material that provides suitable strength, for example, the material may be steel or aluminium, or any other suitably strong material.

In a preferred embodiment of the guardrail assembly of the present invention, the base frame comprises a plurality of elongate base members. Preferably, each elongate base member is connected to the lower end of a respective post and extends distally from the post to which it is connected. Preferably, the post and elongate base member are perpendicular to each other, wherein a lower end of each post is connected to a proximal end of the base frame. Preferably, each elongate base member is welded to its respective post. The connection may also be strengthened by the use of additional base braces. The elongate base members may be of any length and cross-sectional shape. The length of the elongate base members should be sufficient to provide stability to the barrier, whereby the guardrail assembly does not readily tip over. In certain embodiments, the elongate base members may be more than 1 metre, preferably more than 2 metres, and most preferably approximately 3 metres in length.

In a preferred embodiment of the guardrail assembly of the present invention, the assembly further comprises a plurality of base supports. Each base support is adapted to be installed over an elongate base member. Accordingly, the shape of the base support must be adapted to suit the cross-sectional shape of the elongate base member. Preferably, each base support is releasably fixable to a roof surface and permits movement of an elongate base member therebetween.

Preferably, each of the base supports are adapted to be installed over an elongate base member in order to prevent the elongate base member being raised in the event that pressure is applied to the barrier.

The nature of the roof upon which the guardrail assembly is to be used determines the manner in which the base supports are releasably fixed to the roof. For example, when used on a uniform, flat panel, the base supports may be fixable directly to the roof using screws or other suitable fasteners. After use, the screws may be removed and then the roof is typically sealed with a membrane that covers the entire roof, including the holes made by the screws. It is important to completely seal the roof to prevent ingress of water. The materials from which the panels are made are typically hygroscopic and can increase their weight considerably if rain water enters the panel.

The present invention also provides alternative forms of the base supports. In certain embodiments, the base supports are suitable for releasably fixing to a kliplok- profiled roof. In these cases, the roof panel is preconstructed with an outer layer comprising a kliplok-profiled material, and therefore does not have fixings through the roof panel. In order to prevent piercing the kliplok-profiled material, the base support may include a clamping means for attaching to the raised portions of the kliplok profile. In other embodiments, the base supports are suitable for releasably fixing to a trimdek-profiled roof.

In these cases, the roof panel is preconstructed with an outer layer comprising a trimdek- profiled material, and therefore has fixings through raised portions of the trimdek profile and the roof panel. In order to releasably fix the base supports to the trimdek-profiled material, the base support may include openings adapted for receiving screws to attach the base support to the raised portions of the trimdek profile. After removal of the base support, standard roof fixings may be inserted through the trimdek profile to thereby prevent water ingress.

In further embodiments, the present invention provides means for employing the guardrail assembly across a roof; that is, perpendicular to the orientation of ridges in the roof. In such embodiments, a support beam may be installed in the valleys of the roofing material; preferably being held against the roof by roof plates that span the gap between ridges and retain the support beam therebeneath. The base supports may be used to hold the elongate base members to the support beams, to thereby install guardrail assembly on the roof.

The guardrail assembly preferably further comprises at least one removable locking pin that passes through the elongate base member and bears against its associated base support to restrict movement of the elongate base member relative to the base support.

The present invention further provides a method of moving the guardrail assembly across a roof, the guardrail assembly comprising: a) substantially vertical barrier; and b) a substantially horizontal base frame, wherein the base frame comprises a plurality of elongate base members; the method comprising the steps of: i) placing the guardrail assembly on a substantially horizonal roof; ii) installing base supports to the roof, wherein each base support is installed over an elongate base member, whereby the elongate base member is movable between the base support and the roof, thereby allowing movement of the guardrail assembly relative to and across the roof.

Removable locking pins may be passed through holes in each elongate base member. The guardrail assembly may then be moved across the roof until the locking pins bear against the base supports. In order to move the guardrail assembly further along the roof, the locking pins may be removed and installed through the elongate base member at a position more distal from the barrier. The guardrail assembly may then be moved until the locking pins again bear against the base supports. This process allows the guardrail assembly to be moved a distance up to the length of the elongate base members. In order to move further, the base supports may be repositioned at a location closer to the barrier, and the above process repeated as required.

In further embodiments of the present invention, movement of the guardrail assembly across a roof may be facilitated by the inclusion of roller means, such as, but not limited to, wheels.

The following description refers specifically to the preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and photographs.

Illustrated in Figure 1 is an exemplary guardrail assembly 100, comprising a substantially vertical barrier 110 and a substantially horizontal base frame 120 connected thereto. The guardrail assembly is positioned as a leading edge roof guardrail on a roof comprising insulated roof panels 105.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary barrier 110 comprising a plurality of substantially vertical posts 111 and a plurality of substantially horizontal rails 112, 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of substantially horizontal rails comprises a top rail 112 and two mid rails 113. The rails 112, 113 are fixed to the posts 111 by bolts 115 passing through the rails 112, 113 and the posts 111. Additional strength and rigidity are provided to the barrier by top rail braces 114, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top rail 112 is hollow and substantially arch- shaped in cross-section (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, the curved portion 112a of the arch-shaped cross-section has a diameter of approximately 25mm. The illustrated top rail 112 is connected to the post 111 via a bolt 115 passing through the straight portions 112b of the arch-shaped cross-section and the post 111 located therebetween.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mid rails 113 is substantially circular in cross- section as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows a cross-section through a post 111, showing the attachment of the top rail 112 and mid rails 113 thereto.

As shown in Figure 7, the guardrail assembly 100 further comprises a base frame 120 which includes a plurality of elongate base members 121. Each of the plurality of elongate base members 121 is fixed to a respective post 111. Additional strength and rigidity are provided to the connection by one or more base braces 116. Figure 8 shows a side view of the exemplary guardrail assembly 100, illustrating the substantially vertical barrier 110 and substantially horizontal base frame 120. Figure 8 also shows the presence of small wheels 117 at the junction of the post and elongate base member. The use of such wheels 117 is intended to facilitate the movement of the guardrail assembly 100 across the roof 105.

In order to retain the guardrail assembly 100 on the roof, base supports 130 are used to cover a portion of the elongate base members 121. The base supports 130 are releasably fixed to the roof surface 105 and adapted to permit movement of the elongate base member 121 therebetween. It will be apparent from Figure 8 that the guardrail assembly 100 can be moved along a roof 105 wherein the elongate member 121 slides along the roof 105 under the base support 130. In order to restrict movement of the elongate base member 121 in this manner, a removable locking pin 122 is passed through a hole 123 in the elongate base member 121. It will be apparent to the skilled person, and schematically shown in Figure 10, that positioning of these holes 123 may allow the guardrail assembly 100 to be moved along a roof 105 in defined increments of distance, corresponding to the width of a roof panel. This arrangement allows a worker to install a panel, then move the removable locking pin 122 to the next most distal hole 123, whereby the guardrail assembly 100 may be moved over that panel in order to be correctly positioned for installing the next panel.

Figure 9A shows a detail of the base support 130, showing the elongate base member 121 passing under the base support 130 and the locking pin 122 passing through the elongate base member 121 and bearing against the rearward edge 131 of the base support 130, thereby restricting movement of the guardrail assembly 100. Figure 9B shows an exemplary cross-section of a base support 130.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 show detail of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the guardrail assembly 100 is installed on a roof 200 and intended to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the orientation of ridges 210 in the roof profile. In this embodiment, a support beam 140 is installed in the valley between adjacent ridges 210 in the roof profile. The support beam is held against the roof 200 through the use of roof plates 142 that are fixed using any suitable fixing 143, such as screws, to the ridges 210.

In order to prevent the support beam 140 sliding, retainer members 145 may be installed in the support beam 140, immediately adjacent the roof plates 142. Operation of this alternative guardrail assembly 100 is then essentially the same as described above.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that when one guardrail assembly is moved, a gap will be present between adjacent guardrail assemblies on a given roof. Figure 14 illustrates a solution to this problem, by the provision of a safety rail partition 119 installed between the adjacent guardrail assemblies 100. The safety rail partition 119 is removable whereby it may be readily installed and removed as the guardrail assemblies 100 are moved across a roof.

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 (7)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A movable guardrail assembly for temporary installation on a roof, comprising a substantially vertical barrier and a substantially horizontal base frame connected thereto, wherein: the barrier comprises a plurality of substantially vertical posts and a plurality of substantially horizontal rails; and the base frame comprises a plurality of elongate base members; and wherein the guardrail assembly is releasably fixable to, and movable across the roof.

2. The guardrail assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of substantially horizontal rails comprises a top rail and at least two mid rails.

3. The guardrail assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of elongate base members is fixed to at least one respective post.

4. The guardrail assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of base supports.

5. The guardrail assembly of claim 4, wherein each base support is releasably fixable to a roof surface and adapted to permit movement of an elongate base member therebetween.

6. The guardrail assembly of claim 4 or claim 5, further comprising at least one removable locking pin that passes through the elongate base member and bears against its associated base support to restrict movement of the elongate base member relative to the base support.

7. A method of moving the guardrail assembly across a roof, the guardrail assembly comprising: a. a substantially vertical barrier; and b. a substantially horizontal base frame, wherein the base frame comprises a plurality of base rails; the method comprising the steps of: i. placing the guardrail assembly on a substantially horizonal roof; ii. installing base supports to the roof, wherein each base support is installed over an elongate base member, whereby the elongate base member is movable between the base support and the roof, thereby allowing movement of the guardrail assembly relative to the roof.