WO2000077324A1

WO2000077324A1 - Protective device against falls

Info

Publication number: WO2000077324A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/001390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-François GUIOMARD; François KRAUSS
Original assignee: Guiomard Jean Francois; Krauss Francois
Priority date: 1999-06-11
Filing date: 1999-06-11
Publication date: 2000-12-21
Also published as: AU4049299A

Abstract

The invention concerns a protective device against falls designed to be in-built on the frame of a window. The device (1) comprises main crosspieces (2, 3) and secondary crosspieces (5, 6) and intermediate crosspieces (7, 8) mutually linked. The main crosspieces (2, 3) further comprise fixing means (4) for fitting in the device (1) on the fixed frame of a window.

Description

FALL PROTECTION DEVICE

The invention relates to a fall protection device

It applies more particularly in the field of construction and occupational safety

When personnel work or circulate on a site or in a building being exposed to a risk of falling into a vacuum from a height of more than three meters, they must be installed, according to the regulations in force in certain countries, a guard -body at work or circulation level

In the absence of guardrails, the regulations require the installation of awnings, fans, floors, nets or any other protective device against falls into a vacuum.

These devices, however, require considerable time to set up and dismantle

To carry out certain work, in particular maintenance work such as cleaning the windows of a building, it is sometimes impossible to intervene from inside the premises on certain exterior parts of the windows, without there being any risk of fall into the void.

Particularly when the windows are in the form of an opening frame and a fixed frame, or a sliding frame

In fact, if the exterior surface of the glass carried by the opening frame generally does not present any particular accessibility difficulties, it is not the same with the exterior surface of the glass carried by the fixed chassis In this case, the person having for example to wash the window is forced to lean outwards, and therefore above the vacuum, to reach the entire surface of this window The same difficulties are encountered when it is a question of carrying out, apart from window washing operations, maintenance or repair work on windows, window frames or accessories, such as roller blinds, located near the window frame

For this type of work the use of the conventional protection systems described above is hardly conceivable in practice, the time spent for the repair or maintenance of a window being generally less than that necessary to install and remove a classic fall protection system

There is therefore a risk that this work is carried out without complying with the regulations on work safety

The invention aims to solve these drawbacks by proposing a fall protection device ensuring both good accessibility to the window and preventing any risk of falling into a vacuum.

The invention also aims to provide a fall protection device easy to transport, adaptable to most existing windows and easy and quick installation

The fall protection device according to the invention, intended to be temporarily embedded on the frame of a window or similar building element comprises, in the position of use, at least two main sleepers spaced from one another and connected together by at least one secondary crossmember provided at one of its terminal parts with means for connecting the secondary crossmember to one of the main crossmembers, and at the other with its end parts with means for connecting the secondary cross member to the other main cross member, each main cross member being provided at each of its terminal parts with a means for fixing the device to a window frame, the two means for fixing the same main cross member being intended to be fixed on two window frames opposite a window, the distance between the two main sleepers or between the secondary sleeper and the bottom frame of the window frame being such that the opening to the remaining vacuum, after fitting the device on the window frame, is limited

In this patent application, "window frames" designate the elements of a window fixed in the masonry and forming the window frame. The chassis generally comprises a high frame and a low frame, as well as two lateral frames (or uprights)

The device of the invention is such that the distance between the two main sleepers or between the secondary sleeper and the bottom frame of the window frame does not allow the bust of a user of the device to pass through the remaining opening on the empty.

Thus, when the feet of a user are at the level of the support bar (or low frame) of a window fitted with the device of the invention, or at ground level, its center of gravity generally remains located below the height of the device of the invention

According to other characteristics, the longitudinal axes of the two main sleepers are substantially parallel to each other

According to still other characteristics, the device of the invention comprises two secondary crosspieces spaced from one another, the longitudinal axis of the two secondary crosspieces being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the two main crosspieces

The device of the invention may also include intermediate crosspieces which connect the secondary crosspieces to each other

The intermediate sleepers are provided at each of their end parts with connecting means making it possible to connect them, for each of them to a secondary sleeper According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the intermediate sleepers is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main sleepers

The device of the invention is intended to be built into the frame of a window, the time necessary to carry out maintenance work on the window or cleaning the windows. To do this, the device of the invention comprises means for fixing the main crosspieces to a window frame, comprising a U-shaped tab.

The two branches of the U delimit between them a free space able to receive the window frame, the two branches then coming to bear against the frame, and on each side of the latter

According to one embodiment, the dimension of the free household space between the two branches of the U is adjustable

According to another embodiment, the fixing means comprise a tab of internal shape complementary to the external shape of a frame, so that it can be positioned stably on this frame

According to other characteristics, the main, secondary and / or intermediate sleepers are fixedly mounted, with fixed connecting means, for example a weld, in particular in the form of points.

In this case, the fixing means can be articulated, to facilitate mounting of the device on the frames.

It is also conceivable to provide main, secondary and / or intermediate sleepers mounted in a fixed but articulated fashion, to facilitate mounting of the device on a window.

In this case, the fastening means are generally not articulated According to yet other characteristics, the main, secondary * and / or intermediate sleepers are removably mounted, using removable connection means, possibly articulated, of the various sleepers with one another.

Removable connection means that can be used include, for example, a screw-nut system passing through holes made in the main and secondary crosspieces *, or any other similar system, such as a lug; pin for adjusting the position of a crosspiece compared to IfiP crosses to which it is connected.

Such removable connection means also make it possible to build a device according to the invention adapted to a particular window, by varying the number of crosspieces, in particular of secondary and intermediate crosspieces, and the function of the window.

According to yet other characteristics, the fall protection device * s according to the invention is produced so that the clan passing through the longitudinal axis of the main crosspieces is substantially l nfondus with the planeπ * passing through the chassis of a window.

As a variant, the plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the main lines

be located towards the interior of the room where the window is located. - - ,, with respect to pla * F ^* ε passing through the window frame.

The plane passing through the longitudinal axes of tra. es secondary and / σtt * intermediate can also be located in the interior \ local, relative atι ^»τ plane passing through the window frame.

In this way, the security of the device is increased; improved, the utilateia-ta - being able to engage his arm and / or his shoulder in: ', j-rture remaining of Èa ts window, the rest of the body remaining inside the ïr. ^• below the plan i * £ ^Q window sash. The number of main, secondary or intermediate sleepers may vary depending on the size of the window

The device according to the invention can be made to measure, depending on the dimensions of the windows with which it is to be used.

Alternatively, the device of the invention can be modular and / or removable, so as to adapt to different window frames

Cross members of different dimensions and removable connection means, such as those described above, can thus be provided for assembling the parts and constituting a device adapted to the particular dimensions of a window.

According to another aspect, at least some of the crosspieces of the device can be telescopic

The fall protection device according to the invention can be made of any rigid and non-deformable material, for example metal, metal alloy, plastic, wood or the equivalent. The sleepers generally have a sufficient section to guarantee the solidity of the device, based on average user weight

It may also be possible to link together some of the main, secondary and / or intermediate sleepers, for example by a link such as a chain or a rope.

Some of the sleepers of the device can be equipped with at least one gripping means such as handles or rings, facilitating their installation and / or their transport.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, given with reference to the appended figures in which FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device of the invention; FIG. 2 represents a partial schematic perspective view of the lower part of an embodiment of the device of the invention; FIG. 3 represents a partial schematic perspective view of the upper part of an embodiment of the device of the invention; - Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the device of the invention, in position on the window frame, Figure 5 shows a partial schematic perspective view of the device of the invention of Figure 4, in position on a window, Figure 6 shows a partial schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a main telescopic cross member, Figure 7 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the device of the invention, in position on a window, and FIG. 8 represents a schematic front view of another embodiment of the device of the invention, in position for mounting on a window

Referring now to the figures, in which the same references correspond to the same elements, the fall protection device 1 comprises two main crosspieces 2, 3 comprising at each of their end parts preferably at their ends, fixing means 4 of the device on the window frames

The main crosspieces 2, 3 can consist of solid or hollow tubes, of cylindrical, rectangular or square section, straight or substantially straight, or slightly curved

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axes B of the main crosspieces 2, 3 are substantially parallel to each other

The main sleepers 2, 3 are interconnected by at least two secondary sleepers 5, 6 In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal axis A of the secondary sleepers 5, 6 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B of the main sleepers 2 , 3 According to another embodiment (not shown in the figures), it is possible to arrange the two secondary sleepers so that they connect the two main sleepers together forming an X

The device according to the invention can also comprise intermediate crosspieces 7, 8 connecting the secondary crosspieces 5 6

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axis C of the intermediate sleepers 7, 8 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the main sleepers 2, 3

Thus the space of the window 12 remaining open to the outside is substantially limited by the crossing of the main secondary and intermediate crosspieces.

It goes without saying that the number and arrangement of the crosspieces can vary, depending in particular on the dimensions of the window or the protection desired by the device.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises two main sleepers 2, 3, two secondary sleepers 5, 6 and two intermediate sleepers 7, 8

The main crosspieces 2, 3 have at each of their end parts, preferably at their ends, fixing means comprising a tab 4 in the form of U with two branches 4a, 4b, intended to come into abutment against each side of a frame 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d of the window frame 9

The tabs 4 can be fixed to the main crosspieces 2, 3, for example by welding or, alternatively, can be removable using, for example a screw system or the like

According to one embodiment, one of the branches 4a, 4b of the tab 4, in particular that arranged towards the interior of the room, has a bearing surface against the window frame of a larger window than the other branch. In this way, the device of the invention makes it possible to obtain improved stability, by reducing the possibilities of movement of the device on the window frame 9

According to one embodiment, the dimension of the free space 4c delimits between the two branches 4a, 4b of a tab 4 is adjustable, in order to embed the device 1 on window frames 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d of windows of different dimensions.

Such an adjustment can be obtained for example by allowing one of the branches to slide relative to the other, with a worm screw system or any other equivalent system.

The device can be non-removable and, in this case, the various crosspieces can be assembled by welding, gluing, or the like.

As a variant, the crosspieces can be removable and / or adjustable, the means for connecting the different crosspieces to each other being removable and may consist, for example, of a lug, a pin, a screw-nut system or any other equivalent system.

According to another embodiment, the main crosspieces 2, 3 comprise at least one telescopic part.

According to this variant, the main crosspieces 2, 3 are hollow over at least part of their length and comprise at least one spring 13 housed in this hollow part (FIG. 6)

The spring 13 can for example be fixed by one of its ends to a stop 14 made in the main cross member 2, 3 and is fixed by its other end to a stop 15 made in a hollow housing 16 extending the tab 4

In this way, the device 1 according to the invention can be easily fitted onto the frames 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d of the window frame, by compressing the spring 13 by an action exerted on the tab 4, and by placing the leg 4 against one frame 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d The action exerted on the spring 13 is then released, which has the effect of returning the spring 13 to its initial state and thus blocking the tab 4 resting on the frame

It is also conceivable to provide a main crosspiece in two parts, one of which can slide at least partially into the other while being held in position by a spring.

Other systems, for example a hydraulic cylinder, can be used for the production of telescopic sleepers

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the main cross member 3 located, when the device 1 is placed on a window, towards the bottom frame 9a of a window, comprises a flange 10 over most of its length.

This rim 10 consists of a low plate 10a and a high plate 10b linked together at an angle of about 90 °

According to this embodiment, the surface formed by the lower plate 10a is substantially horizontal, and the surface formed by the upper plate 10b is substantially vertical.

The flange 10 can be fixed to the device of the invention for example by welding points between the main cross member 3 and the high plate 10b and / or low 10a.

The rim 10 thus makes it possible to prevent the feet of the user from passing through the device and thus improves the security of the system.

It is also conceivable to provide the flange 10 on a secondary cross member, in particular on the secondary cross member located towards the bottom frame of the frame, depending on the direction of mounting of the device of the invention on the frame of a window. According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the secondary crosspieces 5, 6 have, at the level of the region of connection with the main crosspieces 2, 3. a bent part 11, making it possible to bring the plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the secondary crosspieces 5, 6 towards the interior of the room where the window is located

The device according to the invention is embedded on the frame 9 of a window, by placing the legs 4 in the shape of a U on the frames

The device can be mounted on the frame 9 of a window by arranging the main crosspieces 2. 3 parallel to the top 9b and bottom 9a frames of the frame 9 (FIG. 4)

As a variant, the main crosspieces 2, 3 can be arranged perpendicular to the top frames 9b and bottom 9a and of the frame 9 (FIG. 7).

Referring to Figure 7, the device according to the invention comprises three secondary sleepers 5 connected to the main sleepers 2, 3 by removable connecting means 17, for example a screw-nut system.

According to this embodiment, the secondary crosspieces 5 are fixed to the main crosspieces 2, 3, after mounting of these on the top 9b and bottom 9a frames of the chassis 9 thanks to the fixing means 4

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the device comprises two main sleepers 2, 3 connected to each other by a secondary sleeper 5.

The secondary cross member 5 is provided at each of its ends with two articulated connecting means, each connecting means connecting the secondary cross member 5 to one of the main cross members 2, 3

The articulated connecting means may consist, for example, of a hollow cylinder 18 surrounding the external surface of the main crosspieces 2, 3 and provided an articulation, for example a hinge, connected to the secondary cross-member 5 and to the cylinder 18.

The secondary cross member 5 is itself articulated, preferably in a median region of its length, by means of a hinge 19 or any other equivalent system.

The device is then placed in position on the frame 9 of a window by proceeding as follows.

The main crossbars 2. 3 are embedded on the high 9b and bottom 9a frames of the chassis, thanks to the fixing means 4. The two main crossbars 2, 3 are then moved towards the side frames (or uprights) 9c and 9d of the chassis 9 , in the directions of arrows D and E.

This has the effect of "stretching" the secondary cross member 5, which becomes substantially rectilinear and parallel to the bottom frame 9a of the chassis.

The device is then completed by fixing additional secondary crosspieces between the two main crosspieces 2, 3 by means of connection means as described above, so as to reduce the opening to the vacuum.

According to this embodiment, a hinge blocking system 19 can be provided to hold the secondary cross member 5 in the "stretched" position.

The means of connection of the secondary cross member 5 to the main cross members 2, 3 can be fixed, for example by welding the cylinder 18 around the main cross members 2, 3.

They can also be adjustable, by providing in the cylinder 18 a thread receiving a screw blocking the cylinder 18 in a determined position relative to the main crosspieces 2, 3. The device 1 according to the invention then leaves a space 12 open towards the outside, allowing easy access for example to the window to be cleaned.

This space 12 is however sufficiently limited to avoid any risk of falling into a vacuum.

Claims

1 fall protection device (1), intended to be temporarily embedded on the frame (9) of a window or similar building element, comprising, in the position of use, at least two main crosspieces (2, 3) spaced from each other and connected together by at least one secondary crossmember (5, 6) provided at one of its end portions with means for connecting the secondary crossmember (5, 6) to one of the main sleepers (2) and to the other of its end parts means for connecting the secondary sleeper (5, 6) to the other main sleeper (3), characterized in that each main sleeper (2, 3) is provided with each of its end parts with a fixing means (4) of the device directly on a frame (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) of a window, the two fixing means (4) of the same main crosspiece (2, 3) being intended to be fixed on two opposite window frames (9a, 9b; 9c, 9d) of a window, the distance between the s two main sleepers (2, 3) or between the secondary sleeper (5, 6) and the bottom frame (9a) of the window frame (9), being further such that the opening on the remaining void (12) , after installation of the device (1) on the frame (9) of a window, is limited.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between two main sleepers (2, 3) or between the secondary sleeper (5, 6) and the bottom frame (9a) of the window frame (9) does not allow not the bust of a user to pass through the opening (12) remaining on the vacuum.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal axes (B) of the main crosspieces (2, 3) are substantially parallel to each other.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two secondary crosspieces (5, 6) spaced from one another, the longitudinal axis (A) of the secondary crosspieces (5, 6) being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (B) of the two main sleepers (2, 3) 5 Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises intermediate sleepers (7, 8) connecting the secondary sleepers (5, 6) together

6 Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the longitudinal axis

(C) of the intermediate crosspieces (7, 8) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the main crosspieces (2, 3).

7 Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means for fixing the device comprise a tab (4) U-shaped with two branches (4a, 4b) delimiting between them a free space (4c) , the two branches (4a, 4b) of the tab (4) being intended to come into abutment against each side of a frame (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) of a window

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the branches (4a, 4b) of the tab (4) has a bearing surface against the frame (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) of a window more important than the other.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the dimension of the free space (4c) between the two branches (4a, 4b) is adjustable

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means for fixing the device comprise a tab of internal shape complementary to the external shape of a window frame

1 1. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the main crosspieces (2, 3) comprise at least one telescopic part.

12. Device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the main crosspieces (2, 3) are hollow over at least part of their length and comprise at least one spring (13) housed in the hollow part 13 Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the spring (13) is fixed by one of its ends to a stop (14) formed in the main crosspiece (2, 3) and is fixed by its other end to a stop (15) formed in a hollow housing (16) extending the tab (4)

14 Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the main crosspieces (2, 3) are in two parts, one of which can slide at least partially in the other, being held in position by a spring

15. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least some of the main (2, 3), secondary (5, 6) and / or intermediate (7, 8) sleepers are connected together by a link, for example a chain or rope

16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least some of the crosspieces comprise at least one gripping means, such as handles or rings

17 Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the plane passing through the longitudinal axis (B) of the main crosspieces (2, 3) is substantially coincident with the plane passing through the frame (9) d '' a window, or is located in a plane located towards the interior of the room, with respect to the plane passing through the window frame (9)

18. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the plane passing through the longitudinal axes (A, C) of the secondary and / or intermediate sleepers (5, 6, 7, 8) is located towards the interior of the room, with respect to the plane passing through the frame (9) of a window 19 Device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the main (3) or secondary (5) crossmember intended for being positioned towards the bottom frame (9a) of a window has, over most of its length, a ledge (10) comprising a bottom plate (10a) and a top plate (10b) linked together by forming an angle d '' about 90 °, the surface formed by the lower plate (10a) being substantially horizontal, the surface formed by the upper plate (10b) being substantially vertical.

20. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the two main crosspieces (2, 3) are arranged parallel to the top (9b) and bottom (9a) frames of the frame (9).

21. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the two main crosspieces (2, 3) are arranged perpendicular to the top (9b) and bottom (9a) frames of the frame (9).

22. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it comprises two main sleepers (2, 3) and an articulated secondary sleeper (5), the secondary sleeper (5) being provided at each of its ends of two articulated connecting means, each connecting means connecting the secondary cross member (5) to one of the main cross members (2, 3).

23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the connecting means consist of a hollow cylinder (18) surrounding the external surface of the main crosspieces (2, 3), provided with a joint, for example a hinge, connecting the secondary crossmember (5) and the cylinder (18).

24. Device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the secondary crosspiece (5) comprises a hinge (19), preferably in a median region of its length.

25. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the main (2, 3), secondary (5, 6) and / or intermediate (7, 8) crosspieces are fixedly mounted, possibly articulated , and include fixed connecting means, possibly articulated.

26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the main (2, 3), secondary (5, 6) and / or intermediate (7, 8) crosspieces are mounted in a fixed and articulated manner and in that the means of fixing (4) are fixed and not articulated.

27. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the main (2, 3), secondary (5, 6) and intermediate (7, 8) crossmembers are fixedly mounted and in that the fixing means (4) are mounted fixed and articulated.

28. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the main (2, 3), secondary (5, 6) and / or intermediate (7, 6) crosspieces are removably mounted and include removable connection means, possibly articulated.

29. Device according to claim 28, characterized in that the removable connecting means, optionally articulated, comprise a lug, a pin, a screw-nut system.

30. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that it is made to measure, according to the dimensions of the windows with which it is to be used.

31. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 24 and 28, 29, characterized in that it is modular and / or removable.