US20150069313A1 - Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction - Google Patents
Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150069313A1 US20150069313A1 US14/550,795 US201414550795A US2015069313A1 US 20150069313 A1 US20150069313 A1 US 20150069313A1 US 201414550795 A US201414550795 A US 201414550795A US 2015069313 A1 US2015069313 A1 US 2015069313A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- baseplate
- stanchion
- safety rail
- top wall
- guiding
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H17/00—Fencing, e.g. fences, enclosures, corrals
- E04H17/009—Footing elements for fence posts or fence sections
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H17/00—Fencing, e.g. fences, enclosures, corrals
- E04H17/14—Fences constructed of rigid elements, e.g. with additional wire fillings or with posts
- E04H17/20—Posts therefor
- E04H17/22—Anchoring means therefor, e.g. specially-shaped parts entering the ground; Struts or the like
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
- E04G21/00—Preparing, conveying, or working-up building materials or building elements in situ; Other devices or measures for constructional work
- E04G21/32—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings
- E04G21/3204—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings against falling down
- E04G21/3223—Means supported by building floors or flat roofs, e.g. safety railings
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
- E04G21/00—Preparing, conveying, or working-up building materials or building elements in situ; Other devices or measures for constructional work
- E04G21/32—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings
- E04G21/3204—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings against falling down
- E04G21/3223—Means supported by building floors or flat roofs, e.g. safety railings
- E04G21/3233—Means supported by building floors or flat roofs, e.g. safety railings without permanent provision in the floor or roof
- E04G21/3238—Means supported by building floors or flat roofs, e.g. safety railings without permanent provision in the floor or roof using counterweights
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to safety rails or guard rails for open air floors of buildings under construction and, more particularly, to metal safety rails that are reusable.
- Safety rails used to prevent workers from falling from open floors of buildings under construction are generally fabricated from wood that is secured together with nails.
- the wooden safety rails is ultimately “destroyed” when the wooden safety rail is removed from the installation location. Further, the process of assembling and disassembling the wooden safety rail is labor intensive, time consuming and expensive.
- the wooden safety rails are torn apart and discarded, and the respective floor is enclosed. New lumber is then required for constructing safety rails for the next open floor of the building. The discarded wood ultimately ends up in a landfill. The new lumber for the next safety rail must be measured, cut and installed in the same labor intensive, time consuming manner. The new lumber is ultimately discarded when the work is complete for the respective floor. The process is repeated until the building is completed.
- a principle object of the present invention is to provide a metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction.
- a feature of the safety rail is a metal baseplate secured to a floor surface via anchor bolts.
- Another feature of the safety rail is a pair of inner stanchions welded to the baseplate, each inner stanchion slidably receiving cooperating outer stanchions of two discrete rail sections.
- An advantage of the safety rail is that the metal baseplate and inner stanchions maintain the position of the safety rail upon a floor portion when typical force magnitudes are imparted upon safety rails.
- Another advantage of the safety rail is that the metal baseplate is detachable from the floor surface thereby allowing the safety rail to be reused.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a metal safety rail that is easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
- a feature of the safety rail is a plurality of metal rail sections that include two integral metal outer stanchions that snugly slide over cooperating inner stanchions integrally joined to adjacent baseplates.
- An advantage of the safety rail is that labor costs are reduced.
- Another advantage of the safety rail is that the safety rail is reusable.
- Still another advantage of the safety rail is that no portions of the safety rail are discarded.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain safety for personnel engaging the safety rail.
- a feature of the safety rail is a rod or joining member that secures the outer stanchion to the inner stanchion.
- An advantage of the safety rail is that a rail section cannot be lifted from the inner stanchions, thereby exposing individuals to a dangerous fall from the open floor under construction.
- Another advantage of the safety rail is that the joining member is quickly secured to and removed from the inner, thereby minimizing time and costs to assemble and disassemble the safety rail.
- Still another object of the present invention is to prevent joining members from being lost or damaged.
- a feature of the safety rail is a sleeve joined to an outer stanchion, the sleeve slidably receiving the joining member.
- Another feature of the safety rail is a washer welded to the joining member such that the washer and the sleeve cooperate to maintain the joining member inside the outer stanchion.
- Another object of the present invention is to allow the safety rail to be vertically adjustable when varying elevations are required to prevent personnel or materials from falling from an open floor of a building under construction.
- a feature of the safety rail is a coupling member disposed between portions of the inner and outer stanchions as each rail section is elevated.
- An advantage of the safety rail is that the coupling member occupies “space” between the inner and outer stanchions, thereby increasing safety rail stability and resistance to forces imparted upon one or more rail sections forming the safety rail.
- the invention provides a safety rail for open floors of a building under construction comprising a baseplate secured to a floor surface; an inner substantially vertical stanchion integrally joined to said baseplate; an outer substantially vertical stanchion slidably disposed over said inner stanchion; at least one guard member secured to adjacent outer stanchions; and means for removably securing said outer stanchion to said inner stanchion, whereby a plurality of baseplates, inner stanchions, outer stanchions and guard rails are ultimately joined together to form a safety rail disposed about a peripheral portion of an open floor of a building under construction, thereby preventing workers from falling from a floor of the building under construction to the ground below.
- the invention further provides a reusable safety rail for open floors of a building under construction comprising an inner stanchion secured to a floor portion of a building under construction; an outer stanchion disposed upon and rigidly and detachably secured to said inner stanchion; and multiple guard members removably secured to said outer stanchion, whereby a safety rail is constructed that prevents working personnel from falling from a floor of an open building under construction.
- the invention also provides a method for construction a guard rail on floors of a building during construction, said method comprising the steps of securing an inner stanchion to a floor portion of a building under construction; disposing an outer stanchion upon said inner stanchion; rigidly and removably securing said outer stanchion to said inner stanchion; and removably securing guard members to adjacent outer stanchions, whereby a height adjustable guard rail is constructed for preventing workers from falling from an elevated floor portion.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety rail for open floors of a building under construction in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of portions of two rail sections disposed upon a baseplate in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the modified safety rail of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom and joining members disposed above the inner stanchions for the modified safety rail of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a joining member for the modified safety rail of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom for the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded and phantom view of a joining member for the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 12 sectional view of an upper portion of the front sectional view of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a front sectional view of the third modified safety rail of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom and joining members disposed above the inner stanchions for the third modified safety rail of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a joining member for the third modified safety rail of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fourth modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of the fourth modified safety rail of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom and joining members disposed above the inner stanchions for the fourth modified safety rail of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a joining member for the fourth modified safety rail of FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for the baseplate of the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of the baseplate of FIG. 21 .
- FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of the baseplate of FIG. 21 .
- FIG. 24 is a top elevation view of the baseplate of FIG. 21 .
- FIG. 25 is same perspective view of the baseplate of FIG. 21 , but with a weight disposed thereupon.
- FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a clamping base alternative embodiment for the baseplate of the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the clamping base of FIG. 26 .
- FIG. 28 is a front elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26 , but with the clamping base being disposed upon a support beam.
- FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26 , but without the support beam being depicted.
- FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26 .
- FIG. 31 is a top elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26 .
- a safety rail for the perimeter of an open floor of building under construction is denoted as numeral 10 .
- the safety rail 10 includes multiple rail sections 11 disposed upon adjacent spatially separated baseplates 12 that are secured to a floor surface 14 via anchor bolts 24 integrally inserted into a floor portion 27 .
- Cooperating nuts 27 are rotationally secured to the anchor bolts 24 until the nuts 27 forcibly engage the baseplates 12 .
- the baseplates 12 include a pair of substantially vertical inner stanchions 16 integrally joined to each baseplate 12 via welding or similar means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
- the rail sections 11 are secured to the baseplates 12 via substantially vertical outer stanchions 18 integrally formed into the rail sections 11 , the outer stanchions 18 are snugly slid upon cooperating inner stanchions 16 by an individual such that the rail sections 11 are vertically maintained when released by the individual.
- Top, middle and bottom guard members 20 , 21 , and 22 are integrally joined to cooperating outer stanchions 18 such that a rail section 11 is fabricated with a predetermined vertical elevation sufficient to protect personnel working on an open floor area in a building under constriction.
- the vertical or longitudinal dimensions of the inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 cooperate to provide stability and safety to the rail section 11 when the outer stanchions 18 are disposed over the inner stanchions 16 .
- the longer the inner stanchion 16 the more stability provided to the outer stanchion 18 , and the more unlikely the outer stanchion 18 would be accidently elevated from the inner stanchion 16 , which could result in an individual falling from the open floor area.
- the vertical dimension of the outer stanchions 18 is ultimately determined by the rail section 11 vertical safety elevation required by the individuals working on the open floor area.
- a vertical dimension for the inner stanchions 16 is selected that allows a first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 to rest upon the baseplate 12 , while disposing the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 slightly lower in elevation than the second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 , thereby maximizing stability and safety for the rail section 11 .
- a shorter vertical dimension for the inner stanchion 16 may be selected, however, stability and safety would be comprised.
- the first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 may be secured to the first end 30 of the inner stanchion 16 via aperture and cotter pins or similar securing means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
- the baseplate 12 is dimensioned to provide a stable attachment between the rail sections 11 and the floor surface 14 irrespective of the force imparted upon the safety rail 10 .
- the baseplate 12 is a one-quarter inch thick plate of steel with a length of nine inches and a width of six inches.
- the baseplate 12 is secured to a floor surface 14 via threaded mounting studs 24 drilled into and integrally joined to a floor portion 26 .
- Cooperating nuts 27 secure the baseplate 12 to the mounting studs 24 such that the baseplate 12 maintains congruent engagement with the floor surface 14 .
- the baseplate 12 includes two inner stanchions 16 perpendicularly joined to a top wall 28 of the baseplate 12 via welding or similar means, thereby maintaining the inner stanchions 16 in a substantially vertical position after the baseplate 12 is congruently secured to the floor surface 14 , irrespective of a substantially horizontal force being imparted upon the inner stanchion 16 .
- the two inner stanchions 16 are spatially separated a distance that allows cooperating outer stanchions 18 to snugly slide upon the two inner stanchions 16 such that the outer stanchions 18 do not engage each other.
- the inner stanchion 16 includes a two inch diameter, four feet long piece of schedule forty steel pipe having a first end 30 welded to the baseplate 12 .
- a second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 may be open or covered. If the outer stanchion 18 is simply slid over the inner stanchion 16 and there is no need to secure the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion, then no joining means is required between the two stanchions 16 and 18 . If increased safety and stability is required for the safety rail 10 , then the outer stanchion 18 is secured to the inner stanchion 16 via a top portion 40 of a threaded joining member 38 engaging a washer 43 which in turn engages a second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 .
- the threaded joining member 38 rotationally engages a nut 36 centered and welded inside the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 (see FIGS. 4-7 ).
- the dimensions of the inner stanchion 16 may vary depending upon the expected maximum magnitude of force ultimately imparted upon the safety rail 10 .
- the dimensions of the baseplate 12 , outer stanchion 18 and guard members 20 will correspondingly vary.
- the dimensioning of the safety rail 10 as a function of expected maximum force imparted upon the safety rail 10 is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
- the nut 36 is orientated to vertically receive the threaded joining member 38 , which can be a bolt, rod or pipe.
- the top portion 40 of the joining member 38 and the washer 43 ultimately capture and secure the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 .
- a plurality of drain apertures 37 are provided at the base of the first end 30 of the inner stanchion 16 to allow rain and moisture collected between the baseplate 12 and the first end 30 to exit the inner stanchion 16 .
- the outer stanchion 18 includes a portion of schedule forty steel pipe having a diameter and length relatively larger than the corresponding diameter and length of the inner stanchion 16 to promote the snug disposition of the outer stanchion 18 over the inner stanchion 16 .
- the relatively larger outer stanchion 18 slides over the inner stanchion 16 until a first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 engages the top wall 28 of the baseplate 12 . If the outer stanchion 18 must be secured to the inner stanchion 16 , then a shaft portion 39 of the joining member 38 is inserted into an open second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 until a threaded bottom portion 41 of the shaft portion 39 engages nut 36 in the inner stanchion 16 (see FIGS. 4-7 ).
- the joining member 38 is then rotated via manual or tool means such that the threaded bottom portion 41 inserts into the nut 36 until the top or knob portion 40 of the joining member 38 engages the second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 , thereby forcibly securing the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 , resulting in a rigid, stable stanchion assembly capable of supporting the guard members 20 such that workers are prevented from falling from a floor of a building under construction to the ground below.
- a plurality of drain apertures 48 are provided at the base of the first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 to allow rain and moisture collected between the baseplate 12 and the first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 , and rain and moisture exiting the inner stanchion 16 to exit the outer stanchion 18 and flow upon the floor surface 14 .
- FIGS. 8-12 an alternative design for securing the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 via the joining member 38 in accordance with the present invention is depicted.
- the alternative design includes a metal cylindrical sleeve 52 integrally joined via welding or similar means to an upper arcuate portion 53 of the outer stanchion 18 .
- a bottom portion 54 of the sleeve 52 is configured to congruently engage the upper arcuate portion 53 such that the sleeve 52 is axially aligned with the outer stanchion 18 and with an aperture 56 in the upper arcuate portion 53 , thereby providing access to the outer stanchion 18 and the inner stanchion 16 therein for a threaded joining member 38 to rotationally engage a cooperatively threaded funnel member 55 that is secured to an upper collar 57 which is integrally joined to the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 .
- the upper collar 57 provides increased surface area for improving the weld maintaining the position of the funnel member 55 relative to the inner stanchion 16 .
- the baseplate 12 includes a steel reinforcing bar 58 welded to the baseplate 12 and disposed between lower securing collars 59 that integrally join the inner stanchions 16 to the baseplate 12 .
- the reinforcing bar 58 prevents the baseplate 12 from deforming when a person leans against or otherwise imparts a force upon the assembled safety rail 10 .
- a deformed baseplate 12 allows corresponding rail sections 11 to “bend” opposite to the direction of the imparted force, which could cause a person to fall from the floor area being guarded by the safety rail 10 .
- the securing collars 59 provide increased surface area for securing the inner stanchions 16 to the baseplate 12 via welding or similar means, thereby maintaining the inner stanchions 16 in a substantially vertical position irrespective of the force imparted to the outer stanchions 18 via the rail sections 11 .
- the joining member 38 includes a threaded rod 61 having a blunt upper end 63 that inserts through a sleeve engagement washer 65 and rotationally inserts through a retaining nut 67 and into a handle 69 .
- the joining member 38 further includes a relatively “pointed” lower end 71 that “finds” and is inserted into a threaded aperture 74 in the funnel member 55 , then promotes rotational engagement between the rod 61 and the funnel member 55 to ultimately secure the joining member 38 and the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 .
- a retaining washer 73 is welded to an upper portion of the threaded rod 61 to prevent the joining member 38 from being extracted or otherwise removed from the outer stanchion 18 , thereby preventing the joining member from being lost or damaged which would eventually occur should the joining member 38 be separated from the outer stanchion 18 .
- the retaining washer 73 includes a diameter dimensioned slightly larger than the diameter of the sleeve 52 to prevent the washer 73 from being manually urged through the sleeve 52 and extracted from the outer stanchion 18 .
- the sleeve engagement washer 65 promotes the forcible rotation of the retaining nut 67 against the sleeve 52 to “lock-in” the position of the outer stanchion relative to the joining member 38 and the inner stanchion 16 without excessive wear to cooperating surfaces of the retaining nut 67 and the sleeve 52 .
- the joining member 38 is secured to the outer stanchion 18 by inserting the upper end 63 of the rod 61 (without the washer 65 , retaining nut 67 or handle 69 attached) through the first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 , which is separated from the inner stanchion 16 , and through the sleeve 52 ; whereupon, the washer 65 , retaining nut 67 and handle 69 are secured to the upper end 63 of the rod 61 .
- the removable handle 69 , nut 67 and washer 65 cooperate with the fixed location of the retaining washer 73 upon the rod 61 to secure the joining member 38 to the outer stanchion 18 , while allowing the rod 61 to axially slide within the sleeve 52 a longitudinal distance determined by distance between the retaining washer 73 and the bottom portion 54 of the sleeve 52 when the retaining nut 67 urges the washer 65 into engagement with the sleeve 52 .
- the safety rail 10 is assembled by disposing the outer stanchion 18 upon the inner stanchion 16 .
- the pointed lower end 71 of the rod ultimately engages a “downwardly” sloping funnel wall 75 of the funnel member 55 which urges the lower end 71 into the threaded aperture 74 ; whereupon, the handle 69 is manually rotated to secure the outer stanchion 18 upon the inner stanchion 16 .
- the retaining washer 73 is positioned upon the rod 61 such that sufficient longitudinal movement of the rod within the outer stanchion 18 is provided to allow the lower end 71 of the rod to “rest” upon the funnel wall 75 without any weight or manual force from the outer stanchion 18 transferred to the rod 61 .
- the handle 69 is manually rotated to extract the rod 61 from the funnel member 55 ; whereupon, the rail section 11 and outer stanchion 18 is separated from the inner stanchion 16 .
- the joining member 38 will remain with the outer stanchion 18 until the handle 69 , retaining nut 67 and washer 65 are removed from the rod 61 , thereby allowing the rod 61 to be manually pulled from the first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 .
- guard members 20 , 21 and 22 having a length not exceeding eight feet are integrally joined to adjacent outer stanchions 18 to form one rail section 11 .
- the guard members 20 , 21 and 22 may be detachably secured to the outer stanchion 18 via clamp assemblies (manufactured by I B&M tubular Products, located at 1919 W. 19 th St., Broadview, Ill. 60155) that provide a relatively fast attachment to form the rail sections 11 about a predetermined periphery of an open floor of a building under construction.
- the guard members 20 , 21 and 22 include a myriad of configurations including, but not limited to steel cables, angle iron, steel flat bars, chain linked fence and combinations thereof. The selection of any particular guard member 20 , 21 and 22 must be capable of resisting an expected maximum force that might be imparted upon safety rail 10 .
- a completed safety rail 10 extending about the perimeter of an open floor generally includes a height of about four feet. However, during the construction or after the completion of the safety rail 10 , it may be determined that a safety rail 10 is required that is greater than four feet in height. The height of the safety rail 10 is quickly increased by rotationally removing the joining member 38 from the inner stanchion 16 , then slidably lifting the outer stanchion 18 from the inner stanchion 16 . An outer stanchion 18 having a length and guard members 20 , 21 and 22 attached thereto that results in a safety rail 10 having the required height, is slidably disposed upon the inner stanchion 16 .
- the joining member 38 is then reinserted into the longer outer stanchion 18 until rotationally engaging the inner stanchion 16 , thereby securing the longer outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 .
- the replacement process is repeated for all the outer stanchions 18 .
- a replacement joining member is provided with a shaft portion 39 having sufficient length to rotationally insert the threaded bottom portion 41 into the nut 36 .
- a coupling member 50 such as a pipe or similar structure is disposed between the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 and the top portion 40 of the joining member 38 .
- the coupling member 50 may be used with an open or covered second end 44 of the outer stanchion, so long as the ends of the coupling member 50 are designed to be removably secured to cooperating second ends 32 and 44 of the inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 .
- the pipe coupling member 50 allows the shaft portion 39 of the joining member 38 to longitudinally extend therethrough, thereby enabling the coupling member 50 to be quickly inserted or removed from the separated inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 .
- the coupling member 50 effectively “fills” the void between the second end 44 of an elevated outer stanchion 18 , and the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 , resulting in increased stability and force resistance for the outer stanchion 18 as well as the entire safety rail 10 .
- a safety rail 10 is constructed having a predetermined length substantially equal to the perimeter of an open floor of a building under construction.
- a quantity of baseplates 12 , inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 , and guard members 20 are selected to provide a length of safety rail 10 sufficient to enclose the perimeter of a selected open floor.
- the baseplates 12 , inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 , and guard members 20 are selected and dimensioned to provide the required strength and stability required to contain an expected maximum force that might be imparted upon the safety rail 10 by a worker or machine.
- the baseplates, and the inner stanchions 16 integrally joined thereto, are disposed upon a floor surface 14 and spatially separated a predetermined distance.
- the baseplates are then joined to a floor portion 26 via anchor bolts 24 and nuts 27 .
- An outer stanchion 18 is manually slid over the inner stanchion 16 . If enhanced safety and stability is not required, then the outer stanchion 18 is not secured to the inner stanchion. If enhanced safety and stability is required, then the outer stanchion 18 is secured to the inner stanchion 16 via a threaded bottom portion 41 of a shaft portion 39 of a joining member 38 rotationally inserted into a nut 36 integrally joined to the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 .
- the threaded bottom 41 is manually rotated into the nut 36 until a top portion 40 of the joining member 38 forcibly engages a second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 , such that the outer stanchion 18 is stable relative to the inner stanchion 16 irrespective of the magnitude and direction of force imparted upon the safety rail 10 .
- the cooperating inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 result in a rigid safety rail 10 that is relatively easy to assemble and disassemble, that is height adjustable after completely being assembled, and that is rigid, stable and designed to withstand forces of predetermined magnitudes and direction such that workers and materials are prevented from falling from an elevated floor of a building under construction to the ground below.
- the inner stanchion 16 includes a metal cap or cover 60 integrally joined to a second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 , the cap 60 including a centered nut 62 integrally joined to the cap 60 .
- the outer stanchion 18 includes a metal cap or cover 64 integrally joined to a second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 , the cap 64 including a centered aperture 66 that allows a washer 68 to be disposed upon a top edge portion 70 of the aperture 66 .
- a bolt 72 is ultimately inserted through the washer 68 and rotationally inserted into the nut 62 until the outer stanchion 18 is rigidly secured to the inner stanchion 16 .
- longer bolts 72 and coupling members 50 may be required to secure and stabilize the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 .
- the inner stanchion 16 includes a metal cap 80 integrally joined to a second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 , the cap 80 including a centered stud 82 integrally joined to and extending upward from a top wall 81 of the cap 80 .
- the outer stanchion 18 includes a metal cap 84 integrally joined to a second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 , the cap 84 including a centered aperture 86 that allows a washer 88 to be disposed upon a top edge portion 90 of the aperture 86 .
- a nut 92 is rotationally secured to a threaded end 94 of the stud 82 until the outer stanchion 18 is rigidly secured to the inner stanchion 16 .
- the ultimate length selected for the outer stanchion 18 is limited to the cooperating length of the stud 82 extending upward from the cap 80 covering the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 .
- the anchor base 110 is a relatively heavy object with a relatively large rectangular configuration and is included as an element of the safety rail 10 described above when the safety rail 10 cannot be secured to the floor surface 14 via the baseplate 12 , but instead, the safety rail 10 must be set upon the floor surface 14 without using attaching components.
- the anchor base 110 is fabricated from a relatively heavy metal such as carbon steel and includes substantially cylindrical carbon steel inner stanchions 116 perpendicularly and integrally joined to the surface of the anchor base 110 .
- the inner stanchions 116 function substantially the same as the inner stanchions 16 that removably receive the outer stanchions 18 of the safety rail 10 described above.
- the inner stanchions 116 slidably receive the outer stanchions 18 thereupon such that the safety rail 10 is vertically disposed in a substantially rigid position thereby protecting workers proximate to the safety rail 10 .
- the configuration and dimensions of the anchor base 110 cooperate with the configuration and dimensions of the baseplate 12 such that the baseplate 12 and anchor base 110 can be adjacently disposed to receive opposing outer stanchions 18 of the same rail section 11 , thereby allowing the baseplate 12 to be attached to one portion of the floor surface 14 and allowing the anchor base 110 to be disposed upon an adjacent second portion of the floor surface 14 that cannot have intrusive anchor bolts 24 forcibly inserted into the second portion of the floor surface 14 .
- Funnel members 117 are integrally secured to open top ends 118 of the inner stanchions 116 .
- the funnel members 117 include central threaded apertures 121 that rotationally receive cooperating threaded end portions of threaded rods 61 that ultimately secured rail sections 11 to the inner stanchions 116 .
- a gripping member 123 fabricated from a relatively dense, rigid rubber material is secured to a bottom wall of the anchor base 110 to prevent the anchor base 110 from sliding upon the floor surface 14 after the safety rail 10 has been assembled.
- two opposing apertures 125 are provided to receive relatively small securing screws (not depicted) having sufficient length to insert through the anchor base 110 and into the floor surface 14 , thereby securing the anchor base 110 to the floor without damaging the floor surface 14 .
- the anchor base 110 further includes a carbon steel guiding stanchion 129 vertically and integrally joined to the surface of the anchor base 110 .
- the guiding stanchion 129 is vertically dimensioned and configured to removably receive a relatively heavy dense rubber weight 131 via an aperture 132 (see FIG. 25 ) such that the weight 131 is maintained upon the upper surface of the anchor base 110 in a predetermined position.
- the weight 131 increases the force for maintaining the relative position of the anchor base 110 upon the floor surface 14 after the safety rail 10 as been assembled.
- the guiding stanchion 129 includes a threaded cap 133 disposed upon a threaded end of the guiding stanchion 129 .
- the cap 133 provides a cover to keep water from accumulating inside the stanchion 129 , and upon removing the cap 133 , an extension of pipe can be secured to the threaded end of the stanchion 129 via a coupling (not depicted) should added weights 131 be required to be stacked to further increase the force impressing the base 110 upon the floor surface 14 , thereby increasing the vertical stability of the assembled safety rail 10 and the friction of the gripping member 123 upon the floor surface 14 to maintain the relative position of the anchor base 110 upon the floor surface 14 .
- the weight 131 includes a gap 135 to allow cooperating portions of the weight 131 to separate to promote the insertion of the cap 133 through the aperture 132 when disposing one or more weights 131 upon the anchor base 110 .
- the weight 131 further includes a second aperture 137 that exposes a corresponding aperture 125 in the base to allow the aperture 125 to receive a securing screw when the weight 131 is disposed upon the anchor base 110 .
- the second aperture 137 includes a semi-circle configuration that allows a persons hand to comfortably insert therethrough to manually lift and carry the weight 131 .
- a second gap 139 is provided in the weight 131 to promote the removal of the weight 131 from the anchor base 110 by a person grasping one of the two “fingers” 141 formed by the second gap 139 , then elevating the weight 131 from the surface of the anchor base 110 or a lower weight 131 when multiple weights 131 are disposed upon the anchor base 110 .
- FIGS. 26-31 yet another alternative baseplate or clamping base is depicted and denoted as numeral 150 .
- the clamping base 150 is depicted as an element of the safety rail 10 when the safety rail 10 cannot be secured to and/or set upon the floor surface 14 .
- the clamping base 150 is ultimately secured to a support beam 152 or similar support structure as depicted in FIG. 28 .
- the clamping base 150 includes a clamping arm 154 , an extension arm 156 , a stanchion base 158 , a locking member 160 and locking pins 162 .
- the stanchion base 158 includes inner stanchions 164 having substantially the same configurations and functions as the inner stanchions 16 described above.
- the inner stanchions 164 are integrally joined, via welding or similar means, to an outer top wall 166 of a base member or first “U” configured channel 168 (when taking a front elevation ( FIG. 28 ) view of the clamping base 150 ).
- the inner stanchions 164 are dimensioned and disposed upon the top wall 166 to cooperatively receive outer stanchions 18 of corresponding rail sections 11 in substantially the same manner as depicted in FIG. 9 .
- the first U configured channel 168 maintains its configuration via angle arms 170 integrally joined to inner top wall 172 and inner side wall 174 , irrespective of the amount of force imparted upon the outer top wall 166 by the rail sections 11 , which are ultimately secured to the inner stanchions 164 .
- the configuration and dimensions of the clamping base 150 cooperate with the configurations and dimensions of the baseplate 12 and/or the anchor base 110 such that the baseplate 12 or the anchor base 110 can be adjacently disposed to the clamping base 150 to receive opposing outer stanchions 18 of the same rail section 11 , thereby allowing the baseplate 12 or anchor base 110 to be attached to one portion of the floor surface 14 , and allowing the clamping base 150 to be disposed upon an adjacent support beam 152 that supports a second portion of the floor surface 14 .
- the stanchion base 158 further includes vertical and horizontal channel bars 176 and 178 integrally joined together to form a “T” configuration, such that the horizontal channel bar 178 is disposed and dimensioned to snugly and slidably receive a horizontal channel portion 180 of the clamping arm 154 through a central aperture 182 .
- the vertical channel bar 176 is integrally secured to the outer top wall 166 and an inner bottom wall 184 of the first U channel 168 via cooperating recesses 183 that allow the vertical channel bar 176 to snugly slide into cooperative engagement with the first U channel 168 .
- the first U channel 168 includes an outer side wall 185 having a first retaining pad 187 integrally joined via glue or similar means to the outer side wall 185 .
- the first retaining pad 187 is fabricated from rubber or similar “gripping” material capable of maintaining the position of the clamping base 150 relative to the support beam 152 , irrespective of the force imparted upon the clamping base 150 by the rail sections 11 .
- the clamping arm 154 includes a vertical channel bar portion 186 integrally joined to the horizontal channel bar portion 180 such that a substantially right angle is formed, thereby vertically disposing an outer side wall 188 of a second U channel 189 , which is integrally joined to the vertical portion 186 in substantially the same manner as the first U channel 168 is integrally joined to the vertical channel bar 176 of the stanchion base 158 .
- a second rubber retaining pad 190 is integrally joined to the outer side wall 188 .
- the second rubber pad 190 is oppositely disposed to the first retaining pad 187 when the clamping arm is slidably inserted through the horizontal channel bar 178 of the stanchion base 158 .
- the first and second rubber pads 187 and 190 ultimately engage corresponding side walls 191 of the support beam 152 with sufficient force to maintain the initial position of the clamping base 150 upon the support beam 152 irrespective of the force imparted upon the clamping base 150 by the rail sections 11 secured to the inner stanchions 164 .
- the relative positions of the clamping arm 154 and the stanchion base 158 are detachably secured via the locking member 160 .
- the locking member 160 includes upper and lower portions 192 and 194 that form an obtuse angle that promotes the securing of the clamping arm 154 relative to the stanchion base 158 .
- the upper portion 192 includes a substantially square configured aperture 198 that snugly and slidably receives the horizontal portion 180 of the clamping arm 154 .
- the lower portion 194 includes a threaded aperture that rotationally receives a threaded rod 200 having a handle 202 secured to a first end and a threaded cap 204 secured to a second end.
- the locking member 160 Upon manually inserting the horizontal portion 180 through the horizontal channel bar 178 such that the first and second retaining pads 187 and 190 are disposed upon corresponding side walls 191 of the support beam 152 , the locking member 160 is manually slid until the cap 204 engages a side wall 206 of the vertical channel bar 176 .
- the lower portion 194 of the locking member is angularly disposed relative to the side wall 206 , resulting in the threaded rod 200 being angularly disposed relative to the side wall 206 when the rod 200 is perpendicularly urged through the lower portion 194 .
- the handle 202 is then rotated such that the threaded rod forcibly urges the cap 204 into the side wall 206 at an angle determined by the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod 200 relative to the side wall 206 .
- the lower portion 194 of the locking member 160 is urged in a corresponding direction substantially opposite from the side wall 206 , resulting in the upper portion 192 of the locking member 160 pivoting upon the horizontal portion 180 of the clamping arm 154 and driving edges 208 of the aperture 198 into the surfaces of the horizontal portion 180 to ultimately secure the locking member 160 to the horizontal portion 180 and correspondingly “pull” the horizontal portion 180 continuously through the horizontal channel bar 178 as the handle 202 is rotated, until the first and second retaining pads 187 and 190 are forcibly compressed against corresponding side walls 191 of the support beam 152 .
- the compressed pads 187 and 190 provide sufficient grasping force to maintain the position of the clamping base 150 , irrespective of the weight of the rail sections 11 secured to the inner stanchions 164 , and irrespective of the elevation of the clamping arm 154 above a top wall 196 of the support beam 152 .
- a locking pin 162 is then inserted through pin aperture 169 to prevent the locking member 160 from sliding off the horizontal portion 180 of the clamping arm 154 when the handle 202 is rotated to “unlock” the locking member 160 to ultimately remove the clamping base 150 from the support beam 152 .
- an extension arm channel 156 having a predetermined longitudinal dimension is used to span the beam 152 and ultimately disposed the pads 187 and 190 upon cooperating side walls 191 of the beam 152 .
- the extension arm 156 includes an insertion portion 209 having a cross sectional area that allows the insertion portion 209 to be snugly inserted into the horizontal portion 180 via an aperture 212 .
- the extension arm further includes an end portion 210 having a cross sectional area substantially equal to the cross sectional area of the horizontal portion 180 .
- the dimensions and configurations of the insertion and end portions 209 and 210 cooperate with the dimensions and configuration of the horizontal portion 180 to promote the insertion of the insertion portion 209 until the end portion 210 engages the horizontal portion 180 , thereby positioning a pin aperture 165 in the insertion portion 209 in axial alignment with a pin aperture 163 in the horizontal portion 180 , and disposing aperture 167 in the end portion 210 past a corresponding side wall 191 of the support beam 152 due to the predetermined longitudinal dimension of the end portion 210 .
- a locking pin 162 is then inserted through the aligned apertures 163 and 165 to maintain the position of the extension arm 156 relative to the clamping arm 154 , and the horizontal channel bar 178 of the stanchion base 158 is slid upon the end portion 210 until the first pad 187 engages a side wall 191 of the beam 152 .
- the locking member 160 is then slid upon the end portion 210 until the cap 204 engages the side wall 206 of the vertical channel bar 176 , whereupon the first and second pads 187 and 190 are disposed to engage respective side walls 191 of the support beam 152 , and the handle 202 is tightened as described above until the first and second pads 187 and 190 are compressed against the side walls 191 , thereby providing the same gripping force to maintain the position of the clamping base 150 upon the support beam 152 , irrespective of the weight of the of the rail sections 11 secured to the inner stanchions 164 , and irrespective of the elevation of the clamping arm 154 above a top wall 196 of the support beam 152 .
- a locking pin 162 is then inserted through pin aperture 167 to prevent the locking member 160 from sliding off the end portion 210 when the handle 202 is rotated to “unlock” the locking member 160 to ultimately remove the clamping base 150 from the support beam 152 .
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Abstract
A metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction includes a baseplate secured to a floor surface, a substantially vertical inner stanchion integrally joined to the baseplate, a substantially vertical outer stanchion slidably disposed over the inner stanchion, and at least one guard member secured to adjacent outer stanchions, whereby a safety rail is ultimately disposed about a peripheral portion of an open floor of a building under construction to prevent workers from falling from the open floor to the ground below.
Description
- This application claims priority as a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/862,938, filed on Apr. 15, 2013, presently pending, which in turn claimed priority as a Continuation in Part of application Ser. No. 12/460,754, filed on Jul. 24, 2009, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,851 on Apr. 23, 2013.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to safety rails or guard rails for open air floors of buildings under construction and, more particularly, to metal safety rails that are reusable.
- 2. Background of the Prior Art
- Safety rails used to prevent workers from falling from open floors of buildings under construction are generally fabricated from wood that is secured together with nails. The wooden safety rails is ultimately “destroyed” when the wooden safety rail is removed from the installation location. Further, the process of assembling and disassembling the wooden safety rail is labor intensive, time consuming and expensive.
- After the work is completed for the respective open floor, the wooden safety rails are torn apart and discarded, and the respective floor is enclosed. New lumber is then required for constructing safety rails for the next open floor of the building. The discarded wood ultimately ends up in a landfill. The new lumber for the next safety rail must be measured, cut and installed in the same labor intensive, time consuming manner. The new lumber is ultimately discarded when the work is complete for the respective floor. The process is repeated until the building is completed.
- A need exists for a metal safety rail that is reusable, that quickly assembles and disassembles, that disassembles into two separate members to prevent cooperating elements from being lost or damaged, and that is more stabile, force resistant and safer than comparable wooden safety rails. Further, the metal safety rail must meet all specifications established by safety agencies.
- A principle object of the present invention is to provide a metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction. A feature of the safety rail is a metal baseplate secured to a floor surface via anchor bolts. Another feature of the safety rail is a pair of inner stanchions welded to the baseplate, each inner stanchion slidably receiving cooperating outer stanchions of two discrete rail sections. An advantage of the safety rail is that the metal baseplate and inner stanchions maintain the position of the safety rail upon a floor portion when typical force magnitudes are imparted upon safety rails. Another advantage of the safety rail is that the metal baseplate is detachable from the floor surface thereby allowing the safety rail to be reused.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a metal safety rail that is easily and quickly assembled and disassembled. A feature of the safety rail is a plurality of metal rail sections that include two integral metal outer stanchions that snugly slide over cooperating inner stanchions integrally joined to adjacent baseplates. An advantage of the safety rail is that labor costs are reduced. Another advantage of the safety rail is that the safety rail is reusable. Still another advantage of the safety rail is that no portions of the safety rail are discarded.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain safety for personnel engaging the safety rail. A feature of the safety rail is a rod or joining member that secures the outer stanchion to the inner stanchion. An advantage of the safety rail is that a rail section cannot be lifted from the inner stanchions, thereby exposing individuals to a dangerous fall from the open floor under construction. Another advantage of the safety rail is that the joining member is quickly secured to and removed from the inner, thereby minimizing time and costs to assemble and disassemble the safety rail.
- Still another object of the present invention is to prevent joining members from being lost or damaged. A feature of the safety rail is a sleeve joined to an outer stanchion, the sleeve slidably receiving the joining member. Another feature of the safety rail is a washer welded to the joining member such that the washer and the sleeve cooperate to maintain the joining member inside the outer stanchion. An advantage of the safety rail is that two joining members remain with each rail section, thereby preventing lost or damaged joining members and reducing the time required to secure and separate rail sections and inner stanchions.
- Another object of the present invention is to allow the safety rail to be vertically adjustable when varying elevations are required to prevent personnel or materials from falling from an open floor of a building under construction. A feature of the safety rail is a coupling member disposed between portions of the inner and outer stanchions as each rail section is elevated. An advantage of the safety rail is that the coupling member occupies “space” between the inner and outer stanchions, thereby increasing safety rail stability and resistance to forces imparted upon one or more rail sections forming the safety rail.
- Briefly, the invention provides a safety rail for open floors of a building under construction comprising a baseplate secured to a floor surface; an inner substantially vertical stanchion integrally joined to said baseplate; an outer substantially vertical stanchion slidably disposed over said inner stanchion; at least one guard member secured to adjacent outer stanchions; and means for removably securing said outer stanchion to said inner stanchion, whereby a plurality of baseplates, inner stanchions, outer stanchions and guard rails are ultimately joined together to form a safety rail disposed about a peripheral portion of an open floor of a building under construction, thereby preventing workers from falling from a floor of the building under construction to the ground below.
- The invention further provides a reusable safety rail for open floors of a building under construction comprising an inner stanchion secured to a floor portion of a building under construction; an outer stanchion disposed upon and rigidly and detachably secured to said inner stanchion; and multiple guard members removably secured to said outer stanchion, whereby a safety rail is constructed that prevents working personnel from falling from a floor of an open building under construction.
- The invention also provides a method for construction a guard rail on floors of a building during construction, said method comprising the steps of securing an inner stanchion to a floor portion of a building under construction; disposing an outer stanchion upon said inner stanchion; rigidly and removably securing said outer stanchion to said inner stanchion; and removably securing guard members to adjacent outer stanchions, whereby a height adjustable guard rail is constructed for preventing workers from falling from an elevated floor portion.
- These and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrative embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and attached drawings, wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety rail for open floors of a building under construction in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of portions of two rail sections disposed upon a baseplate in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the modified safety rail ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom and joining members disposed above the inner stanchions for the modified safety rail ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a joining member for the modified safety rail ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the second modified safety rail ofFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom for the second modified safety rail ofFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded and phantom view of a joining member for the second modified safety rail ofFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 12 sectional view of an upper portion of the front sectional view ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 14 is a front sectional view of the third modified safety rail ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom and joining members disposed above the inner stanchions for the third modified safety rail ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a joining member for the third modified safety rail ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fourth modified safety rail in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of the fourth modified safety rail ofFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchions extending therefrom and joining members disposed above the inner stanchions for the fourth modified safety rail ofFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a joining member for the fourth modified safety rail ofFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for the baseplate of the second modified safety rail ofFIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of the baseplate ofFIG. 21 . -
FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of the baseplate ofFIG. 21 . -
FIG. 24 is a top elevation view of the baseplate ofFIG. 21 . -
FIG. 25 is same perspective view of the baseplate ofFIG. 21 , but with a weight disposed thereupon. -
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a clamping base alternative embodiment for the baseplate of the second modified safety rail ofFIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the clamping base ofFIG. 26 . -
FIG. 28 is a front elevation view of the clamping base ofFIG. 26 , but with the clamping base being disposed upon a support beam. -
FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of the clamping base ofFIG. 26 , but without the support beam being depicted. -
FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of the clamping base ofFIG. 26 . -
FIG. 31 is a top elevation view of the clamping base ofFIG. 26 . - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-3 , a safety rail for the perimeter of an open floor of building under construction is denoted asnumeral 10. Thesafety rail 10 includesmultiple rail sections 11 disposed upon adjacent spatially separatedbaseplates 12 that are secured to afloor surface 14 viaanchor bolts 24 integrally inserted into afloor portion 27. Cooperatingnuts 27 are rotationally secured to theanchor bolts 24 until the nuts 27 forcibly engage thebaseplates 12. Thebaseplates 12 include a pair of substantially verticalinner stanchions 16 integrally joined to eachbaseplate 12 via welding or similar means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therail sections 11 are secured to thebaseplates 12 via substantially verticalouter stanchions 18 integrally formed into therail sections 11, theouter stanchions 18 are snugly slid upon cooperatinginner stanchions 16 by an individual such that therail sections 11 are vertically maintained when released by the individual. Top, middle andbottom guard members outer stanchions 18 such that arail section 11 is fabricated with a predetermined vertical elevation sufficient to protect personnel working on an open floor area in a building under constriction. - The vertical or longitudinal dimensions of the inner and
outer stanchions rail section 11 when theouter stanchions 18 are disposed over theinner stanchions 16. The longer theinner stanchion 16, the more stability provided to theouter stanchion 18, and the more unlikely theouter stanchion 18 would be accidently elevated from theinner stanchion 16, which could result in an individual falling from the open floor area. The vertical dimension of theouter stanchions 18 is ultimately determined by therail section 11 vertical safety elevation required by the individuals working on the open floor area. Once the vertical dimension for theouter stanchions 18 has been selected, a vertical dimension for theinner stanchions 16 is selected that allows afirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18 to rest upon thebaseplate 12, while disposing thesecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16 slightly lower in elevation than thesecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18, thereby maximizing stability and safety for therail section 11. Obviously, a shorter vertical dimension for theinner stanchion 16 may be selected, however, stability and safety would be comprised. To prevent theouter stanchion 18 from being separated from theinner stanchion 16, thefirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18 may be secured to thefirst end 30 of theinner stanchion 16 via aperture and cotter pins or similar securing means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. - The
baseplate 12 is dimensioned to provide a stable attachment between therail sections 11 and thefloor surface 14 irrespective of the force imparted upon thesafety rail 10. Typically, thebaseplate 12 is a one-quarter inch thick plate of steel with a length of nine inches and a width of six inches. Thebaseplate 12 is secured to afloor surface 14 via threaded mountingstuds 24 drilled into and integrally joined to afloor portion 26. Cooperatingnuts 27 secure thebaseplate 12 to the mountingstuds 24 such that thebaseplate 12 maintains congruent engagement with thefloor surface 14. Thebaseplate 12 includes twoinner stanchions 16 perpendicularly joined to atop wall 28 of thebaseplate 12 via welding or similar means, thereby maintaining theinner stanchions 16 in a substantially vertical position after thebaseplate 12 is congruently secured to thefloor surface 14, irrespective of a substantially horizontal force being imparted upon theinner stanchion 16. The twoinner stanchions 16 are spatially separated a distance that allows cooperatingouter stanchions 18 to snugly slide upon the twoinner stanchions 16 such that theouter stanchions 18 do not engage each other. - The
inner stanchion 16 includes a two inch diameter, four feet long piece of schedule forty steel pipe having afirst end 30 welded to thebaseplate 12. Asecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16 may be open or covered. If theouter stanchion 18 is simply slid over theinner stanchion 16 and there is no need to secure theouter stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion, then no joining means is required between the twostanchions safety rail 10, then theouter stanchion 18 is secured to theinner stanchion 16 via atop portion 40 of a threaded joiningmember 38 engaging awasher 43 which in turn engages asecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18. The threaded joiningmember 38 rotationally engages anut 36 centered and welded inside thesecond end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 (seeFIGS. 4-7 ). The dimensions of theinner stanchion 16 may vary depending upon the expected maximum magnitude of force ultimately imparted upon thesafety rail 10. The dimensions of thebaseplate 12,outer stanchion 18 andguard members 20 will correspondingly vary. The dimensioning of thesafety rail 10 as a function of expected maximum force imparted upon thesafety rail 10 is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thenut 36 is orientated to vertically receive the threaded joiningmember 38, which can be a bolt, rod or pipe. Thetop portion 40 of the joiningmember 38 and thewasher 43 ultimately capture and secure theouter stanchion 18 to theinner stanchion 16. A plurality ofdrain apertures 37 are provided at the base of thefirst end 30 of theinner stanchion 16 to allow rain and moisture collected between thebaseplate 12 and thefirst end 30 to exit theinner stanchion 16. - The
outer stanchion 18 includes a portion of schedule forty steel pipe having a diameter and length relatively larger than the corresponding diameter and length of theinner stanchion 16 to promote the snug disposition of theouter stanchion 18 over theinner stanchion 16. The relatively largerouter stanchion 18 slides over theinner stanchion 16 until afirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18 engages thetop wall 28 of thebaseplate 12. If theouter stanchion 18 must be secured to theinner stanchion 16, then a shaft portion 39 of the joiningmember 38 is inserted into an opensecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18 until a threaded bottom portion 41 of the shaft portion 39 engagesnut 36 in the inner stanchion 16 (seeFIGS. 4-7 ). The joiningmember 38 is then rotated via manual or tool means such that the threaded bottom portion 41 inserts into thenut 36 until the top orknob portion 40 of the joiningmember 38 engages thesecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18, thereby forcibly securing theouter stanchion 18 to theinner stanchion 16, resulting in a rigid, stable stanchion assembly capable of supporting theguard members 20 such that workers are prevented from falling from a floor of a building under construction to the ground below. A plurality ofdrain apertures 48 are provided at the base of thefirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18 to allow rain and moisture collected between thebaseplate 12 and thefirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18, and rain and moisture exiting theinner stanchion 16 to exit theouter stanchion 18 and flow upon thefloor surface 14. - Referring now to
FIGS. 8-12 , an alternative design for securing theouter stanchion 18 to theinner stanchion 16 via the joiningmember 38 in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The alternative design includes a metalcylindrical sleeve 52 integrally joined via welding or similar means to an upperarcuate portion 53 of theouter stanchion 18. Abottom portion 54 of thesleeve 52 is configured to congruently engage the upperarcuate portion 53 such that thesleeve 52 is axially aligned with theouter stanchion 18 and with anaperture 56 in the upperarcuate portion 53, thereby providing access to theouter stanchion 18 and theinner stanchion 16 therein for a threaded joiningmember 38 to rotationally engage a cooperatively threadedfunnel member 55 that is secured to anupper collar 57 which is integrally joined to thesecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16. Theupper collar 57 provides increased surface area for improving the weld maintaining the position of thefunnel member 55 relative to theinner stanchion 16. - The
baseplate 12 includes asteel reinforcing bar 58 welded to thebaseplate 12 and disposed between lower securingcollars 59 that integrally join theinner stanchions 16 to thebaseplate 12. The reinforcingbar 58 prevents thebaseplate 12 from deforming when a person leans against or otherwise imparts a force upon the assembledsafety rail 10. Adeformed baseplate 12 allows correspondingrail sections 11 to “bend” opposite to the direction of the imparted force, which could cause a person to fall from the floor area being guarded by thesafety rail 10. The securingcollars 59 provide increased surface area for securing theinner stanchions 16 to thebaseplate 12 via welding or similar means, thereby maintaining theinner stanchions 16 in a substantially vertical position irrespective of the force imparted to theouter stanchions 18 via therail sections 11. - The joining
member 38 includes a threadedrod 61 having a bluntupper end 63 that inserts through asleeve engagement washer 65 and rotationally inserts through a retainingnut 67 and into ahandle 69. The joiningmember 38 further includes a relatively “pointed”lower end 71 that “finds” and is inserted into a threadedaperture 74 in thefunnel member 55, then promotes rotational engagement between therod 61 and thefunnel member 55 to ultimately secure the joiningmember 38 and theouter stanchion 18 to theinner stanchion 16. A retainingwasher 73 is welded to an upper portion of the threadedrod 61 to prevent the joiningmember 38 from being extracted or otherwise removed from theouter stanchion 18, thereby preventing the joining member from being lost or damaged which would eventually occur should the joiningmember 38 be separated from theouter stanchion 18. The retainingwasher 73 includes a diameter dimensioned slightly larger than the diameter of thesleeve 52 to prevent thewasher 73 from being manually urged through thesleeve 52 and extracted from theouter stanchion 18. Thesleeve engagement washer 65 promotes the forcible rotation of the retainingnut 67 against thesleeve 52 to “lock-in” the position of the outer stanchion relative to the joiningmember 38 and theinner stanchion 16 without excessive wear to cooperating surfaces of the retainingnut 67 and thesleeve 52. - The joining
member 38 is secured to theouter stanchion 18 by inserting theupper end 63 of the rod 61 (without thewasher 65, retainingnut 67 or handle 69 attached) through thefirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18, which is separated from theinner stanchion 16, and through thesleeve 52; whereupon, thewasher 65, retainingnut 67 and handle 69 are secured to theupper end 63 of therod 61. Theremovable handle 69,nut 67 andwasher 65 cooperate with the fixed location of the retainingwasher 73 upon therod 61 to secure the joiningmember 38 to theouter stanchion 18, while allowing therod 61 to axially slide within the sleeve 52 a longitudinal distance determined by distance between the retainingwasher 73 and thebottom portion 54 of thesleeve 52 when the retainingnut 67 urges thewasher 65 into engagement with thesleeve 52. - The
safety rail 10 is assembled by disposing theouter stanchion 18 upon theinner stanchion 16. As theouter stanchion 18 is lowered upon theinner stanchion 16, the pointedlower end 71 of the rod ultimately engages a “downwardly”sloping funnel wall 75 of thefunnel member 55 which urges thelower end 71 into the threadedaperture 74; whereupon, thehandle 69 is manually rotated to secure theouter stanchion 18 upon theinner stanchion 16. In the event that thelower end 71 of therod 61 did not slide upon thefunnel wall 75, but was instead “locked” in place due to misalignment between therod 61,outer stanchion 18 and/orinner stanchion 16, then therod 61 could be bent or otherwise damaged such that structural integrity of the assemblesafety rail 10 would be compromised. - To prevent damage to the
rod 61, the retainingwasher 73 is positioned upon therod 61 such that sufficient longitudinal movement of the rod within theouter stanchion 18 is provided to allow thelower end 71 of the rod to “rest” upon thefunnel wall 75 without any weight or manual force from theouter stanchion 18 transferred to therod 61. To remove theouter stanchion 18 from theinner stanchion 16, thehandle 69 is manually rotated to extract therod 61 from thefunnel member 55; whereupon, therail section 11 andouter stanchion 18 is separated from theinner stanchion 16. The joiningmember 38 will remain with theouter stanchion 18 until thehandle 69, retainingnut 67 andwasher 65 are removed from therod 61, thereby allowing therod 61 to be manually pulled from thefirst end 42 of theouter stanchion 18. -
Multiple guard members outer stanchions 18 to form onerail section 11. Alternatively, theguard members outer stanchion 18 via clamp assemblies (manufactured by I B&M tubular Products, located at 1919 W. 19th St., Broadview, Ill. 60155) that provide a relatively fast attachment to form therail sections 11 about a predetermined periphery of an open floor of a building under construction. Theguard members particular guard member safety rail 10. - A completed
safety rail 10 extending about the perimeter of an open floor generally includes a height of about four feet. However, during the construction or after the completion of thesafety rail 10, it may be determined that asafety rail 10 is required that is greater than four feet in height. The height of thesafety rail 10 is quickly increased by rotationally removing the joiningmember 38 from theinner stanchion 16, then slidably lifting theouter stanchion 18 from theinner stanchion 16. Anouter stanchion 18 having a length andguard members safety rail 10 having the required height, is slidably disposed upon theinner stanchion 16. The joiningmember 38 is then reinserted into the longerouter stanchion 18 until rotationally engaging theinner stanchion 16, thereby securing the longerouter stanchion 18 to theinner stanchion 16. The replacement process is repeated for all theouter stanchions 18. In the event that the shaft portion 39 of the joiningmember 38 is not sufficiently long to have the threaded bottom portion 41 rotationally engage the centerednut 36, then a replacement joining member is provided with a shaft portion 39 having sufficient length to rotationally insert the threaded bottom portion 41 into thenut 36. - In the event that the lengthened
outer stanchion 18 promotes and unstable or relatively “weak” force resistant outer stanchion andsafety rail 10, a coupling member 50 (FIG. 5 ) such as a pipe or similar structure is disposed between thesecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16 and thetop portion 40 of the joiningmember 38. Thecoupling member 50 may be used with an open or coveredsecond end 44 of the outer stanchion, so long as the ends of thecoupling member 50 are designed to be removably secured to cooperating second ends 32 and 44 of the inner andouter stanchions pipe coupling member 50 allows the shaft portion 39 of the joiningmember 38 to longitudinally extend therethrough, thereby enabling thecoupling member 50 to be quickly inserted or removed from the separated inner andouter stanchions coupling member 50 effectively “fills” the void between thesecond end 44 of an elevatedouter stanchion 18, and thesecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16, resulting in increased stability and force resistance for theouter stanchion 18 as well as theentire safety rail 10. - In operation, a
safety rail 10 is constructed having a predetermined length substantially equal to the perimeter of an open floor of a building under construction. A quantity ofbaseplates 12, inner andouter stanchions guard members 20 are selected to provide a length ofsafety rail 10 sufficient to enclose the perimeter of a selected open floor. Further, thebaseplates 12, inner andouter stanchions guard members 20 are selected and dimensioned to provide the required strength and stability required to contain an expected maximum force that might be imparted upon thesafety rail 10 by a worker or machine. The baseplates, and theinner stanchions 16 integrally joined thereto, are disposed upon afloor surface 14 and spatially separated a predetermined distance. The baseplates are then joined to afloor portion 26 viaanchor bolts 24 and nuts 27. Anouter stanchion 18 is manually slid over theinner stanchion 16. If enhanced safety and stability is not required, then theouter stanchion 18 is not secured to the inner stanchion. If enhanced safety and stability is required, then theouter stanchion 18 is secured to theinner stanchion 16 via a threaded bottom portion 41 of a shaft portion 39 of a joiningmember 38 rotationally inserted into anut 36 integrally joined to thesecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16. The threaded bottom 41 is manually rotated into thenut 36 until atop portion 40 of the joiningmember 38 forcibly engages asecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18, such that theouter stanchion 18 is stable relative to theinner stanchion 16 irrespective of the magnitude and direction of force imparted upon thesafety rail 10. The cooperating inner andouter stanchions rigid safety rail 10 that is relatively easy to assemble and disassemble, that is height adjustable after completely being assembled, and that is rigid, stable and designed to withstand forces of predetermined magnitudes and direction such that workers and materials are prevented from falling from an elevated floor of a building under construction to the ground below. - Referring now to
FIGS. 13-16 , an alternative configuration for the joined inner andouter stanchions inner stanchion 16 includes a metal cap or cover 60 integrally joined to asecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16, thecap 60 including a centerednut 62 integrally joined to thecap 60. Theouter stanchion 18 includes a metal cap or cover 64 integrally joined to asecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18, thecap 64 including a centeredaperture 66 that allows awasher 68 to be disposed upon atop edge portion 70 of theaperture 66. Abolt 72 is ultimately inserted through thewasher 68 and rotationally inserted into thenut 62 until theouter stanchion 18 is rigidly secured to theinner stanchion 16. In the event longerouter stanchions 18 are required to fabricate asafety rail 10,longer bolts 72 andcoupling members 50 may be required to secure and stabilize theouter stanchion 18 to theinner stanchion 16. - Referring now to
FIGS. 17-20 , another alternative configuration for the joined inner andouter stanchions inner stanchion 16 includes ametal cap 80 integrally joined to asecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16, thecap 80 including a centeredstud 82 integrally joined to and extending upward from atop wall 81 of thecap 80. Theouter stanchion 18 includes ametal cap 84 integrally joined to asecond end 44 of theouter stanchion 18, thecap 84 including a centeredaperture 86 that allows awasher 88 to be disposed upon atop edge portion 90 of theaperture 86. Anut 92 is rotationally secured to a threadedend 94 of thestud 82 until theouter stanchion 18 is rigidly secured to theinner stanchion 16. The ultimate length selected for theouter stanchion 18 is limited to the cooperating length of thestud 82 extending upward from thecap 80 covering thesecond end 32 of theinner stanchion 16. - Referring now to
FIGS. 21-24 , an alternative baseplate oranchor base 110 is depicted. Theanchor base 110 is a relatively heavy object with a relatively large rectangular configuration and is included as an element of thesafety rail 10 described above when thesafety rail 10 cannot be secured to thefloor surface 14 via thebaseplate 12, but instead, thesafety rail 10 must be set upon thefloor surface 14 without using attaching components. Theanchor base 110 is fabricated from a relatively heavy metal such as carbon steel and includes substantially cylindrical carbon steelinner stanchions 116 perpendicularly and integrally joined to the surface of theanchor base 110. Theinner stanchions 116 function substantially the same as theinner stanchions 16 that removably receive theouter stanchions 18 of thesafety rail 10 described above. More specifically, theinner stanchions 116 slidably receive theouter stanchions 18 thereupon such that thesafety rail 10 is vertically disposed in a substantially rigid position thereby protecting workers proximate to thesafety rail 10. The configuration and dimensions of theanchor base 110 cooperate with the configuration and dimensions of thebaseplate 12 such that thebaseplate 12 andanchor base 110 can be adjacently disposed to receive opposingouter stanchions 18 of thesame rail section 11, thereby allowing thebaseplate 12 to be attached to one portion of thefloor surface 14 and allowing theanchor base 110 to be disposed upon an adjacent second portion of thefloor surface 14 that cannot haveintrusive anchor bolts 24 forcibly inserted into the second portion of thefloor surface 14. -
Funnel members 117 are integrally secured to open top ends 118 of theinner stanchions 116. Thefunnel members 117 include central threadedapertures 121 that rotationally receive cooperating threaded end portions of threadedrods 61 that ultimately securedrail sections 11 to theinner stanchions 116. A grippingmember 123 fabricated from a relatively dense, rigid rubber material is secured to a bottom wall of theanchor base 110 to prevent theanchor base 110 from sliding upon thefloor surface 14 after thesafety rail 10 has been assembled. To increase the force maintaining the relative position of theanchor base 110 upon the floor once thesafety rail 10 has been assembled, two opposingapertures 125 are provided to receive relatively small securing screws (not depicted) having sufficient length to insert through theanchor base 110 and into thefloor surface 14, thereby securing theanchor base 110 to the floor without damaging thefloor surface 14. - The
anchor base 110 further includes a carbonsteel guiding stanchion 129 vertically and integrally joined to the surface of theanchor base 110. The guidingstanchion 129 is vertically dimensioned and configured to removably receive a relatively heavydense rubber weight 131 via an aperture 132 (seeFIG. 25 ) such that theweight 131 is maintained upon the upper surface of theanchor base 110 in a predetermined position. Theweight 131 increases the force for maintaining the relative position of theanchor base 110 upon thefloor surface 14 after thesafety rail 10 as been assembled. The guidingstanchion 129 includes a threadedcap 133 disposed upon a threaded end of the guidingstanchion 129. Thecap 133 provides a cover to keep water from accumulating inside thestanchion 129, and upon removing thecap 133, an extension of pipe can be secured to the threaded end of thestanchion 129 via a coupling (not depicted) should addedweights 131 be required to be stacked to further increase the force impressing the base 110 upon thefloor surface 14, thereby increasing the vertical stability of the assembledsafety rail 10 and the friction of the grippingmember 123 upon thefloor surface 14 to maintain the relative position of theanchor base 110 upon thefloor surface 14. - The
weight 131 includes agap 135 to allow cooperating portions of theweight 131 to separate to promote the insertion of thecap 133 through theaperture 132 when disposing one ormore weights 131 upon theanchor base 110. Theweight 131 further includes asecond aperture 137 that exposes acorresponding aperture 125 in the base to allow theaperture 125 to receive a securing screw when theweight 131 is disposed upon theanchor base 110. Thesecond aperture 137 includes a semi-circle configuration that allows a persons hand to comfortably insert therethrough to manually lift and carry theweight 131. Asecond gap 139 is provided in theweight 131 to promote the removal of theweight 131 from theanchor base 110 by a person grasping one of the two “fingers” 141 formed by thesecond gap 139, then elevating theweight 131 from the surface of theanchor base 110 or alower weight 131 whenmultiple weights 131 are disposed upon theanchor base 110. - Referring now to
FIGS. 26-31 , yet another alternative baseplate or clamping base is depicted and denoted asnumeral 150. Instead of using thebaseplate 12 or theanchor base 110 described above, theclamping base 150 is depicted as an element of thesafety rail 10 when thesafety rail 10 cannot be secured to and/or set upon thefloor surface 14. Theclamping base 150 is ultimately secured to a support beam 152 or similar support structure as depicted inFIG. 28 . Theclamping base 150 includes aclamping arm 154, anextension arm 156, astanchion base 158, a lockingmember 160 and locking pins 162. All portions of theclamping base 150 are fabricated from carbon steel except for the locking pins 162, which are fabricated from stainless steel. Thestanchion base 158 includesinner stanchions 164 having substantially the same configurations and functions as theinner stanchions 16 described above. Theinner stanchions 164 are integrally joined, via welding or similar means, to an outertop wall 166 of a base member or first “U” configured channel 168 (when taking a front elevation (FIG. 28 ) view of the clamping base 150). Theinner stanchions 164 are dimensioned and disposed upon thetop wall 166 to cooperatively receiveouter stanchions 18 of correspondingrail sections 11 in substantially the same manner as depicted inFIG. 9 . The first U configuredchannel 168 maintains its configuration viaangle arms 170 integrally joined to innertop wall 172 andinner side wall 174, irrespective of the amount of force imparted upon the outertop wall 166 by therail sections 11, which are ultimately secured to theinner stanchions 164. - The configuration and dimensions of the
clamping base 150 cooperate with the configurations and dimensions of thebaseplate 12 and/or theanchor base 110 such that thebaseplate 12 or theanchor base 110 can be adjacently disposed to theclamping base 150 to receive opposingouter stanchions 18 of thesame rail section 11, thereby allowing thebaseplate 12 oranchor base 110 to be attached to one portion of thefloor surface 14, and allowing theclamping base 150 to be disposed upon an adjacent support beam 152 that supports a second portion of thefloor surface 14. - The
stanchion base 158 further includes vertical and horizontal channel bars 176 and 178 integrally joined together to form a “T” configuration, such that thehorizontal channel bar 178 is disposed and dimensioned to snugly and slidably receive ahorizontal channel portion 180 of theclamping arm 154 through acentral aperture 182. Thevertical channel bar 176 is integrally secured to the outertop wall 166 and aninner bottom wall 184 of thefirst U channel 168 via cooperatingrecesses 183 that allow thevertical channel bar 176 to snugly slide into cooperative engagement with thefirst U channel 168. Welding or similar means are used to integrally secure thevertical channel bar 176 to theU channel 168, thereby maintaining thevertical channel bar 176 in a substantially vertical position, irrespective of the force imparted upon theclamping base 150 byrail sections 11. Thefirst U channel 168 includes anouter side wall 185 having afirst retaining pad 187 integrally joined via glue or similar means to theouter side wall 185. Thefirst retaining pad 187 is fabricated from rubber or similar “gripping” material capable of maintaining the position of theclamping base 150 relative to the support beam 152, irrespective of the force imparted upon theclamping base 150 by therail sections 11. - The clamping
arm 154 includes a verticalchannel bar portion 186 integrally joined to the horizontalchannel bar portion 180 such that a substantially right angle is formed, thereby vertically disposing anouter side wall 188 of asecond U channel 189, which is integrally joined to thevertical portion 186 in substantially the same manner as thefirst U channel 168 is integrally joined to thevertical channel bar 176 of thestanchion base 158. A secondrubber retaining pad 190 is integrally joined to theouter side wall 188. Thesecond rubber pad 190 is oppositely disposed to thefirst retaining pad 187 when the clamping arm is slidably inserted through thehorizontal channel bar 178 of thestanchion base 158. The first andsecond rubber pads side walls 191 of the support beam 152 with sufficient force to maintain the initial position of theclamping base 150 upon the support beam 152 irrespective of the force imparted upon theclamping base 150 by therail sections 11 secured to theinner stanchions 164. - The relative positions of the
clamping arm 154 and thestanchion base 158 are detachably secured via the lockingmember 160. The lockingmember 160 includes upper andlower portions clamping arm 154 relative to thestanchion base 158. Theupper portion 192 includes a substantially square configuredaperture 198 that snugly and slidably receives thehorizontal portion 180 of theclamping arm 154. Thelower portion 194 includes a threaded aperture that rotationally receives a threadedrod 200 having ahandle 202 secured to a first end and a threadedcap 204 secured to a second end. Upon manually inserting thehorizontal portion 180 through thehorizontal channel bar 178 such that the first andsecond retaining pads side walls 191 of the support beam 152, the lockingmember 160 is manually slid until thecap 204 engages aside wall 206 of thevertical channel bar 176. Thelower portion 194 of the locking member is angularly disposed relative to theside wall 206, resulting in the threadedrod 200 being angularly disposed relative to theside wall 206 when therod 200 is perpendicularly urged through thelower portion 194. Thehandle 202 is then rotated such that the threaded rod forcibly urges thecap 204 into theside wall 206 at an angle determined by the longitudinal axis of the threadedrod 200 relative to theside wall 206. As thehandle 202 rotates, thelower portion 194 of the lockingmember 160 is urged in a corresponding direction substantially opposite from theside wall 206, resulting in theupper portion 192 of the lockingmember 160 pivoting upon thehorizontal portion 180 of theclamping arm 154 and drivingedges 208 of theaperture 198 into the surfaces of thehorizontal portion 180 to ultimately secure the lockingmember 160 to thehorizontal portion 180 and correspondingly “pull” thehorizontal portion 180 continuously through thehorizontal channel bar 178 as thehandle 202 is rotated, until the first andsecond retaining pads corresponding side walls 191 of the support beam 152. Thecompressed pads clamping base 150, irrespective of the weight of therail sections 11 secured to theinner stanchions 164, and irrespective of the elevation of theclamping arm 154 above a top wall 196 of the support beam 152. A lockingpin 162 is then inserted throughpin aperture 169 to prevent the lockingmember 160 from sliding off thehorizontal portion 180 of theclamping arm 154 when thehandle 202 is rotated to “unlock” the lockingmember 160 to ultimately remove theclamping base 150 from the support beam 152. - In the event that the dimensions of the support beam 152 or structure are such that the longitudinal dimension of the
horizontal portion 180 of theclamping arm 154 is to short to span the support beam 152, anextension arm channel 156 having a predetermined longitudinal dimension is used to span the beam 152 and ultimately disposed thepads side walls 191 of the beam 152. Theextension arm 156 includes an insertion portion 209 having a cross sectional area that allows the insertion portion 209 to be snugly inserted into thehorizontal portion 180 via anaperture 212. The extension arm further includes anend portion 210 having a cross sectional area substantially equal to the cross sectional area of thehorizontal portion 180. The dimensions and configurations of the insertion and endportions 209 and 210 cooperate with the dimensions and configuration of thehorizontal portion 180 to promote the insertion of the insertion portion 209 until theend portion 210 engages thehorizontal portion 180, thereby positioning a pin aperture 165 in the insertion portion 209 in axial alignment with apin aperture 163 in thehorizontal portion 180, and disposingaperture 167 in theend portion 210 past acorresponding side wall 191 of the support beam 152 due to the predetermined longitudinal dimension of theend portion 210. A lockingpin 162 is then inserted through the alignedapertures 163 and 165 to maintain the position of theextension arm 156 relative to theclamping arm 154, and thehorizontal channel bar 178 of thestanchion base 158 is slid upon theend portion 210 until thefirst pad 187 engages aside wall 191 of the beam 152. - The locking
member 160 is then slid upon theend portion 210 until thecap 204 engages theside wall 206 of thevertical channel bar 176, whereupon the first andsecond pads respective side walls 191 of the support beam 152, and thehandle 202 is tightened as described above until the first andsecond pads side walls 191, thereby providing the same gripping force to maintain the position of theclamping base 150 upon the support beam 152, irrespective of the weight of the of therail sections 11 secured to theinner stanchions 164, and irrespective of the elevation of theclamping arm 154 above a top wall 196 of the support beam 152. A lockingpin 162 is then inserted throughpin aperture 167 to prevent the lockingmember 160 from sliding off theend portion 210 when thehandle 202 is rotated to “unlock” the lockingmember 160 to ultimately remove theclamping base 150 from the support beam 152. - The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection accorded this invention. The scope of protection is to be measured by the following claims, which should be interpreted as broadly as the inventive contribution permits.
Claims (20)
1. A baseplate for supporting a safety rail upon a predetermined structure, said baseplate remaining unattached to the structure irrespective of the weight and/or configuration of the safety rail, comprising:
a top wall having a first portion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one inner stanchion to be integrally joined to said first portion of said top wall such that said inner stanchion is vertically disposed to receive a cooperating portion of the safety rail, said top wall having a second portion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one guiding stanchion to be integrally joined to said second portion of said top wall such that said guiding stanchion is vertically disposed;
a gripping member secured to a bottom wall of said baseplate for preventing said baseplate from moving upon a corresponding surface of the structure; and
at least one relatively heavy weight member having a central aperture to receive said guiding stanchion to allow said weight member to engage said second portion of said top wall, said guiding stanchion cooperating with said second portion of said top wall to maintain the relative position of said weight member upon said second portion irrespective of movement of said baseplate, whereby said baseplate cooperates with adjacent baseplates to vertically maintain the position of a safety rail upon structure without attaching the baseplates to the structure.
2. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein said baseplate is fabricated from a relatively heavy material.
3. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein said baseplate includes a rectangular configuration having predetermined dimensions.
4. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said top wall includes two inner stanchions to be integrally joined to said first portion.
5. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein said guiding stanchion includes a threaded top end for securing an extension member to said threaded top end to ultimately increase the vertical dimension of said guiding stanchion to ultimately add and vertically stack weight members upon said second portion of said top wall for increasing the force imparted upon said baseplate, thereby increasing the vertical stability of the safety rail and the friction of said gripping member upon the structure to maintain the relative position of said baseplate upon the surface of the structure.
6. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein said weight member includes a gap for allowing cooperating portions of said weight member to separate to promote the insertion of a cap member through said central aperture when disposing said weight member upon said baseplate.
7. The baseplate of claim 6 wherein said weight member includes a second aperture that exposes a corresponding aperture in said baseplate for allowing said corresponding aperture to receive a securing screw when said weight member is disposed upon said baseplate, thereby allowing said baseplate to be secured to the structure when increased safety rail stability is required with limited damage to the surface of the structure.
8. The baseplate of claim 7 wherein said second aperture of said weight member includes a semi-circle configuration that promotes the manually lifting and carrying of said weight member.
9. The baseplate of claim 8 wherein said second aperture of said weight member includes a second gap for promoting the removal of said weight member from said baseplate by the manually grasping of one of two fingers formed by said second aperture and said second gap.
10. A baseplate for supporting a safety rail upon a predetermined structure, said baseplate remaining unattached to the structure irrespective of the weight and configuration of the safety rail, comprising:
a top wall having a first portion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one inner stanchion to be integrally joined to said first portion of said top wall such that said inner stanchion is vertically disposed to receive a cooperating portion of the safety rail, said top wall having a second portion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one guiding stanchion to be integrally joined to said second portion of said top wall such that said guiding stanchion is vertically disposed;
a gripping member secured to a bottom wall of said baseplate for preventing said baseplate from moving upon a corresponding surface of the structure;
at least one relatively heavy weight member having a central aperture to receive said guiding stanchion to allow said weight member to engage said second portion of said top wall, said guiding stanchion cooperating with said second portion of said top wall to maintain the relative position of said weight member upon said second portion irrespective of movement of said baseplate; and
means for vertically increasing the number of weight members upon said second portion of said top wall to maintain baseplate stability irrespective of the weight and/or configuration of the safety rail, whereby said baseplate cooperates with adjacent baseplates to vertically maintain the position of a safety rail upon the structure without attaching the baseplates to the structure.
11. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said baseplate is fabricated from a relatively heavy material.
12. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said baseplate includes a rectangular configuration having predetermined dimensions.
13. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said first portion of said top wall includes two inner stanchions to be integrally joined to said first portion.
14. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said means for increasing the number of weight members includes said guiding stanchion having a threaded top end for securing an extension member to said threaded top end to ultimately increase the vertical dimension of said guiding stanchion to ultimately add and vertically stack weight members upon said second portion of said top wall for increasing the force imparted upon said baseplate, thereby increasing the vertical stability of the safety rail and the friction of said gripping member upon the structure to maintain the relative position of said baseplate upon the surface of the structure.
15. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said weight member includes a first gap for allowing cooperating portions of said weight member to separate to promote the insertion of a cap member of said guiding stanchion through said central aperture when disposing said weight member upon said baseplate.
16. The baseplate of claim 15 wherein said weight member includes a second aperture that exposes a corresponding aperture in said baseplate for allowing said corresponding aperture to receive a securing screw when said weight member is disposed upon said baseplate, thereby allowing said baseplate to be secured to the structure when increased safety rail stability is required with limited damage to the surface of the structure.
17. The baseplate of claim 16 wherein said second aperture of said weight member includes a semi-circle configuration that promotes the manually lifting and carrying of said weight member.
18. The baseplate of claim 17 wherein said second aperture of said weight member includes a second gap for promoting the removal of said weight member from said baseplate by the manually grasping of one of two fingers formed by said second aperture and said second gap.
19. A plurality of baseplates for supporting a safety rail upon a predetermined structure, said baseplates remaining unattached to the structure irrespective of the weight and configuration of the safety rail, comprising:
a predetermined number of baseplates corresponding to a safety rail length formed from multiple rail sections, each one of said baseplates being separated from an adjacent baseplate a predetermined distance, each of said ones of said baseplates comprising:
a top wall having a first portion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least two inner stanchions to be integrally joined to said first portion of said top wall such that said inner stanchions are vertically disposed to receive a cooperating portion of the safety rail, said top wall having a second portion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one guiding stanchion to be integrally joined to said second portion of said top wall such that said guiding stanchion is vertically disposed;
a gripping member secured to a bottom wall of each of said ones of said baseplates for preventing said baseplates from moving upon a corresponding surface of the structure;
at least one relatively heavy weight member having a central aperture to receive said guiding stanchion to allow said weight member to engage said second portion of said top wall, said guiding stanchion cooperating with said second portion of said top wall to maintain the relative position of said weight member upon said second portion irrespective of movement of said baseplate; and
means for vertically increasing the vertical dimension of said guiding stanchion to vertically increase the number of weight members upon said second portion of said top wall to maintain baseplate stability irrespective of the weight and/or configuration of the safety rail, whereby said baseplate cooperates with adjacent baseplates to vertically maintain the position of a safety rail upon the structure without attaching the baseplates to the structure.
20. The baseplate of claim 19 wherein said means for increasing the vertical dimension of said guiding stanchion includes said guiding stanchion having a threaded top end for securing an extension member to said threaded top end to ultimately increase the vertical dimension of said guiding stanchion to ultimately add and vertically stack weight members upon said second portion of said top wall for increasing the force imparted upon said baseplate, thereby increasing the vertical stability of the safety rail and the friction of said gripping member upon the structure to maintain the relative position of said baseplate upon the surface of the structure.
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US14/550,795 US20150069313A1 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2014-11-21 | Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction |
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US13/862,938 US8925904B2 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2013-04-15 | Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction |
US14/550,795 US20150069313A1 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2014-11-21 | Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction |
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US14/550,795 Abandoned US20150069313A1 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2014-11-21 | Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction |
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US20160194895A1 (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2016-07-07 | Oxford Plastic Systems Limited | Supporting temporary barriers |
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US20160194895A1 (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2016-07-07 | Oxford Plastic Systems Limited | Supporting temporary barriers |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160194895A1 (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2016-07-07 | Oxford Plastic Systems Limited | Supporting temporary barriers |
US10214935B2 (en) * | 2013-09-05 | 2019-02-26 | Oxford Plastic Systems Limited | Supporting temporary barriers |
US11377871B2 (en) * | 2019-01-30 | 2022-07-05 | TransGard LLC | Anchoring system for a fence |
USD880003S1 (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2020-03-31 | Eberl Iron Works, Inc. | Rooftop railing system |
USD932652S1 (en) | 2019-07-24 | 2021-10-05 | Eberl Iron Works, Inc. | Rooftop railing system |
USD932651S1 (en) | 2019-07-24 | 2021-10-05 | Eberl Iron Works, Inc. | Rooftop railing system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20140191172A1 (en) | 2014-07-10 |
US8925904B2 (en) | 2015-01-06 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SWITCH RAIL SAFETY SYSTEMS, LLC, IDAHO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHRISTOFFER, ALFRED C.;STAWYCHNY, STEVEN M.;REEL/FRAME:040824/0230 Effective date: 20161202 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |