US20120018691A1

US20120018691A1 - Roll-Out Safety System

Info

Publication number: US20120018691A1
Application number: US13/143,954
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrea Roth
Original assignee: Geobrugg AG
Current assignee: Geobrugg AG
Priority date: 2009-01-13
Filing date: 2010-01-08
Publication date: 2012-01-26
Also published as: EP2376710A1; JP2012515278A; WO2010081655A1; CA2749176A1; CH700218A2

Abstract

An unrollable safety system has a box (15) accommodating a net (11) which contains a device with a rotatable shaft on which the net (11) can be rolled up and out. One or more supports (12, 25) can be positioned specific distances away from the box (15). Moreover, at least one longitudinal element (16), preferably a rope, that can be pulled out of the box (15) and can be held by the positioned supports (12, 25) is provided on which the net (11) is rolled out and held like a curtain by means of brackets (21). The net (11), as meshwork, is flexible, and so designed to be able to roll up, it being produced from a plurality of wires, ropes and/or cords bent in coil shapes. The wires (13), ropes and/or cords bend in coil shapes are preferably aligned perpendicularly to the direction of pulling out the net (11) so that the net can be rolled up on the shaft. A mobile or stationary barrier over shorter or longer distances, with a high degree of stability and with simple and rapid assembly and dismantling has thus been produced.

Description

The invention relates to an unrollable safety system according to the preamble to claim 1.
With a generic, portable barrier system according to publication US-2007/0176158 a cylindrical housing is provided in which a hollow shaft accommodating the unrollable net is rotatably mounted, it being possible to turn this hollow shaft in one or the other direction using a manually operated crank handle. Moreover, for the purpose of locking, a ratchet wheel, which interacts with a catch adjustable from the outside, is assigned to the hollow shaft. This barrier system is suitable for blocking off places which are dangerous for children.
The object forming the basis of the present invention was to provide a system by means of which a mobile or stationary barrier over shorter or longer distances, with high stability and with simple and fast assembly and dismantling is made possible.
The object is achieved according to the invention in that the net, as meshwork, is flexible and so designed such that it can be rolled up, it being produced from a plurality of wires, ropes and/or strands bent in coil shapes and preferably made of high-strength steel, the wires, ropes and/or strands bent in coil shapes being aligned perpendicularly to the direction of pulling out the net so that the net can be rolled up on the vertically standing shaft.
With this embodiment according to the invention of the roll-out and roll-up safety system, on the one hand high stability of the latter is guaranteed so that it can reliably withstand vandalism, acts of violence and external environmental influences (e.g. wind, rain, snow, sandstorms, etc.) and also so that the protection system does not come loose where a large number of people have to be guided through in a high density. Moreover, it is not possible, or only with great difficulty, to climb over or crawl under this type of meshwork because the net can be correspondingly pretensioned.
In addition, it can be assembled and dismantled easily and quickly without any high degree of previous knowledge, and so, for example, it can be set up quickly as a temporary barrier, for example at a stadium, and then be removed again during the sporting event so that the spectators can leave the stadium without any obstruction after the end of the game so as to avoid any tailbacks.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention and further advantages and applications of the latter are described in greater detail in the following by means of the drawings. These show as follows:

FIG. 1 is a view of a rolled out net system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of a support of the net system according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the upper part of a box with the rolled out net and longitudinal element of the system according to FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of an end support of a net system.

FIG. 1 shows a rolled out net system 10 in the assembled state which is suitable for various purposes. It can therefore be set up, for example in a football stadium, and here define different sectors even in front of the entrance to the stadium so as to thus facilitate the entrance of the spectators and also in order to guarantee safety arrangements in order to separate fans from one another, even before they reach the stadium. Before the spectators leave the stadium again, these nets 11 can be rolled back into the box 15 and the system 10 can be dismantled without any great effort within a few minutes, and so consequently the spectators can leave the stadium without any tailbacks and in comfort.
These systems are suitable for various applications, such as for example also for large events in sports and in other fields, but these net systems can also be used at building sides or on roads as mobile or likewise as stationary barriers and guides.
This type of net system 10 includes a box 15 which contains a device, not shown in detail, with a rotatable shaft on which the net 11 can be rolled up or out. In the rolled out state—as illustrated—the net 11 is advantageously on the one hand held in the box 15 on this shaft, and on the other hand on an end support (see FIG. 4) and between this on a number of supports 12 spaced apart from one another.
Moreover, at least one longitudinal element 16 is guided over the upper side of the net from the box 15 to the end support. After being fixed to the end support, both this longitudinal element 16 and the net 11 are braced by means of a respective bracing device (not shown in detail) so that the net suspended on this longitudinal element is additionally stabilised.
According to the invention, the net 11, as meshwork, is flexible and so can be rolled up, it being produced from a plurality of wires 13, ropes and/or strands bent in coil shapes. The wires 13, ropes and/or strands bent in coil shapes are aligned perpendicularly to the direction of pulling out the net so that the net 11 can be rolled up on the vertically standing shaft. The wires, ropes and/or strands are produced from a high-strength steel with a tensile strength of at least 1,000 N/mm².
In the present exemplary embodiment the net 11 is woven from wires 13 made of high-strength steel with a diameter of 2 mm and a tensile strength of 1,700 N/mm². In this way these nets can on the one hand be produced with a very low weight, and on the other hand, however, they fulfil the stability requirements ideally due to the high strengths. This low weight structure of the net means that it can be pulled out a long way—up to 50 m—without it tending to sag.
The box 15 is designed such that it can preferably be transported using a fork lift truck. Therefore, corresponding openings 17 are provided on its lower side into which the forks of the fork lift truck can pass. Moreover, the box 15 has a door 16 through which access to the shaft and to the bracing devices is guaranteed, and it is of dimensions such that all of the required implements, including in particular the supports 12, can be enclosed within it.
A further advantage is thus offered within the framework of the invention, namely with this system in the dismantled state this box 15 alone can be positioned and removed, and consequently very little space is required for it.
To the side next to the door 16 a passage slot 18 extends over almost the whole height of the box 15 through which the net 11 is passed. Moreover, an opening 19 is provided above this passage slot 18 from which the longitudinal element 16 projects. Furthermore, the base of the box 15 contains a heavy material, preferably concrete, so that in the rolled out state of the net 11 this box also has sufficient stability.
According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the supports 12 are respectively provided on the upper end with a protective hook 12′ and centering means 16′ for holding the longitudinal element 16. Moreover, claws 32, which serve as additional holding for the net 11, are attached to the latter. For this purpose, with these claws the net 11 can be suspended with the edge rope 31 threaded through said net and the ends of the wires 13. Moreover, the ends of the wires 13 are connected to the adjacent wires by loops 13′ which are formed.
According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, on the upper end of the net 11 slots fixed specified distances apart from one another are advantageously provided with brackets 21 which are respectively U-shaped in form and are attached with a sidepiece 21′ to the net 11. In addition, assigned to these brackets 21 are slide elements provided as guide rollers 22 which roll over the extended longitudinal element 16 when the net is pulled out. These brackets 21 are advantageously attached to the net spaced apart from one another such that when the net is unrolled, as can be seen in FIG. 1, they are located approximately half way between the supports 12.
These brackets 21 on the net and the hooks 12′ with the centering means 16′ projecting upwards on the upper end of the supports 12 are arranged such that a respective bracket 21 can be moved with the guide roller 22 over the longitudinal element through these hooks 12′ without making any contact, and so unimpeded, so that the net 11 can be rolled out easily and without stopping.
FIG. 4 illustrates the upper part of an end support 25 on which the end of the longitudinal element 16 and the end of the net 11 are fixed. With a mobile embodiment this end support 25 can further have a base which is provided with a heavy weight, for example a concrete slab. Here, the end of the net 11 is fitted with an end strip 26 which has connection elements 27 which are engaged in corresponding slots 28 on the side of the end support 25 facing towards the net. With the upper end of this end strip 26 a bracket 29 is also provided with a guide roller. This bracket 29 is moved over the longitudinal element to the end support in order to roll out the net, and so the end strip with the net can be pushed onto it. After this however, this bracket 29 is removed again from the longitudinal element 16.
When assembling the system the box 15 is first of all advantageously brought into the desired position with a fork lift truck or some other available means of transport. The end support 25 and, if appropriate, the supports 12 are first of all then positioned pre-specified distances apart from one another, and the latter are either inserted into holes in the ground or are simply lined up. After this the longitudinal element 16 can be pulled out of the box 15 through the opening 19, fixed onto the end support and be braced on the box 15 by means of a bracing device. As soon as this longitudinal element is fitted, the net 11 can then be unrolled out of the box 15 and be drawn out like curtains over the longitudinal element 16 up to the end support 25 by suspending its brackets 21, 26 and be attached to said end support. Moreover, the net is braced back by a bracing device and advantageously suspended at the bottom and at the top with these claws 32 on the supports 12 so that sufficient rigidity is achieved so that if, for example, a person hangs onto the net or falls into the latter, the net only moves slightly and in fact remains stable.
The invention is sufficiently displayed by the exemplary embodiments described above. However, it can also be illustrated by other versions. The box could therefore be provided with a round or similar cross-section instead of with a rectangular one. Depending on the requirement, two or more boxes could be positioned next to one another. The end support could also be attached to a wall or similar.
The safety system is preferably provided with a fence-type meshwork having a box or box-type apparatus accommodating the latter and which contains a device with a rotatable shaft on which this fence meshwork can be rolled up or out such that no, one or a number of supports can be positioned spaced out at specified distances from the box and that at least one longitudinal element which can be pulled out of the box and holdable on the positioned supports, preferably a rope, is provided on which the net is rolled out like a curtain and held by support elements.
These unrollable safety elements can be used upright, but also horizontally or suspended. Inclined or other forms of use are also possible. Moreover, the form of the rolled up safety element can itself vary and be designed differently over the rolled up length.
Moreover, these roll-up safety elements can also be multi-layered in form and/or have a so-called sandwich structure without its ability to roll up being restricted. Other applications are mobile fence barriers for trade fairs or similar events where one needs the flexibility to make different areas accessible for different events or to be able to block them off.
In addition to the actual blocking purpose, however, the present rolling fence system can also be used for further applications. For example, various other rollable materials can be rolled up in the box and be rolled out and up in the same way as the is fence meshwork. These applications can be used in the advertising sector. Correspondingly, advertising posters can be stretched out and then be dismantled again. Due to the great stability when subjected, for example, to wind forces, the present application is also suitable for large-scale events, sports fixtures, trade fair services and people management applications.
When using particularly strong nets and meshworks dynamic protection applications are also possible. Therefore, mobile protection devices can be used as temporary thoroughfare barriers. Similar applications are also possible for rockfall protection nets or for protection against other natural dangers.
When using, for example, high-strength fence systems one can additionally make use of the advantage that one can hardly, or only with great difficulty, cut through these special nets and meshworks with normal tools. This enables increased break through protection which is often required for police and military applications. Moreover, these protection applications can also be put to use in the field of sensitive objects (e.g. embassies, transport facilities, energy supply plants, etc.) or in the field of personal security.
If these boxes are equipped with a rollable fence offering protection against hollow charge weapons, mobile protection against corresponding threats, for example in the form of RPG7 and similar missiles, can be guaranteed. This application can be used in the field of military storage facilities, establishments and in areas of conflict and war. It offers the advantage that efficient protection against such hollow load projectiles can be achieved relatively simply and with rapid installation. Ballistic protection can be also achieved by means of rollable elements by forming a canopy over and covering facilities worthy of protection.
Likewise, rollable shatter protection walls can be simply conveyed, assembled and dismantled again for temporary applications. For this purpose, instead of the meshwork a shatter protection system is fitted in the box which is likewise rolled out and set up in the same way. Also possible are combinations of net systems with shatter protection elements which can be rolled together or assembled one after the other. These shatter protection applications against improvised explosive charges are used in particular in areas of conflict where not only military, but especially also civil facilities and personnel (e.g. VIPs) must be protected. By means of the rapid installation, temporary protection functions can thus be fulfilled efficiently and inexpensively.
The unrollable box system described can also be combined with heat-arresting protection elements which are used especially at military bases and facilities against infrared images and films. These elements, which are often textile or textile-type, can also be rolled up and stowed again in the way described.
In addition to the upright, i.e. vertical embodiment, horizontal, suspended or inclined applications of the aforementioned applications are also possible. For this purpose the boxes are designed such that the unrollable elements and/or fence systems can be pulled out horizontally. This is used for the purposes of covering and providing a canopy over facilities and infrastructures worthy of protection. Here, the strong design and the possibility of pretensioning the rollable elements likewise offers a great advantage in practical application because wind, rain and snow loads as well as other external influences (e.g. sandstorms) can have significant loading effects upon the support system. Preferably, these horizontal or suspended applications are used with longitudinal elements (e.g. tensioning ropes) on both sides in order to assist with rolling out and up. This additionally simplifies assembly and dismantling.
The aforementioned boxes are basically closed, substantially cylindrical units in which the net system can be rolled up. However, depending on the application, these boxes can also be designed to be open, to have a loose structure or to be at least partially closed, and combinations of these embodiments of the boxes are of course also possible.

Claims

1. An unrollable safety system having a box (15) accommodating a net (11) which contains a device with a rotatable shaft on which this net (11) can be rolled up and out such that one or more supports (12, 25) can be positioned specific distances away from the box (15), and that at least one longitudinal element (16), preferably a rope, that can be pulled out of the box (15) and can be held on the positioned supports (12, 25), is provided, on which the net (11) is held moveably, like a curtain, by means of brackets (21), characterised in that the at least one-layered net (11), as meshwork, is flexible and so designed such that it can be rolled up, it being produced from a plurality of wires, ropes and/or strands bent in coil shapes and preferably respectively made of high-strength steel, the wires (13), ropes and/or strands bent in coil shapes preferably being aligned perpendicularly to the direction of pulling out the net (11) so that the net can be rolled up on the shaft.

2. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the wires (13), ropes and/or strands are produced from a high-strength steel with a tensile strength of at least 1,000 N/mm².

3. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that on the upper end of the net (11) slots with brackets (21) attached specific distances apart are designed such that when the net (11) is rolled out, they slide over the longitudinal element (16) which has been pulled out through sliding elements assigned to the brackets (21) and are disposed moveably on the supports on the longitudinal element (16) so that the net can be rolled out simply and without stopping.

4. The unrollable system according to claim 3, characterised in that the brackets (21) attached to the net (11) have guide rollers (22) as sliding elements which can respectively be rolled out over the longitudinal element (16) which has been pulled out and is held on the supports (12), the brackets being U-shaped in form and attached by a sidepiece to the net (11).

5. The unrollable safety system according to claim 4, characterised in that the supports (12) respectively have on the upper end a protective hook (12′) and centering means (16′) for holding the longitudinal element (16) such that the brackets attached to the net (11) can slide without any contact through these hooks (12′) over the longitudinal element (16).

6. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the supports (12, 25) can be anchored to the ground or be provided with a foot for positioning without fixing to the ground, depending on the application.

7. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the supports (12) forms the end support (25) on which the end of the longitudinal element (16) and the end of the net (11) can be fixed, this longitudinal element (16) and the net (11) being braceable by means of a respective bracing device after fixing so that the net held on this longitudinal element is additionally stabilised.

8. The unrollable net system according to claim 7, characterised in that in a mobile embodiment the end support (25) has a base which is provided with a large weight, for example a concrete slab.

9. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the box (15), the net (11) and, if appropriate, the supports (12, 25) can be used upright, on an incline or horizontally or suspended.

10. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the shape of the net can be designed in a variety of forms, for example with different heights over its length.

11. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the net is designed with a number of layers and/or as a sandwich structure.

12. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that one or a number of additional rollable materials can be rolled up or out in the box, such as for example advertising posters.

13. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the latter can be used as a thoroughfare barrier, as rockfall protection or similar.

14. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the latter can be used as defensive protection against projectiles of all types, for example RPG 7 hollow charge weapons.

15. The unrollable safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the net is equipped with at least one heat-, cold- or wind-arresting protection element.

16. A box for an unrollable net system according to claim 1, characterised in that the box (15) is designed such that it can be transported, preferably with a fork lift truck, and that it is of dimensions such that all of the required implements, including in particular the supports (16, 25), can be enclosed within it.

17. The box according to claim 16, characterised in that a heavy material, preferably concrete, is contained in the base of the box (15) by means of which this box achieves increased stability.