WO2008023956A1

WO2008023956A1 - Safety net assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008023956A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong Seok Heo
Original assignee: Dong Seok Heo
Priority date: 2006-08-24
Filing date: 2007-08-24
Publication date: 2008-02-28
Also published as: KR100653452B1

Abstract

A safety net assembly, in which the length of a variable section can be freely adjusted using a length adjusting part of an adjustable fastener unit, so that the safety net assembly can be easily constructed and disassembled and a net can be tightened to ensure high durability. The net can be formed in a lattice structure or a network structure and made of an inexpensive polyester material to lower the manufacturing cost thereof. The safety net assembly can prevent workers from falling down, and can be simply disassembled after use to be carried in a folded state, thereby facilitating reuse.

Description

Description SAFETY NET ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a safety net assembly, in particular, to one which can be easily constructed and disassembled, ensure sufficient durability at a necessary time, prevent workers from falling down, be manufactured at a low cost, and be easily reused since it can be easily transported after construction. Background Art

[2] A safety rail is generally used in a construction site to prevent workers from falling down. To construct the safety rail, brackets are connected together using bolts, and are then temporarily supported by a concrete structure.

[3] However, this kind of safety rail sometimes fails to cover the entire area of a balcony depending on the length of the balcony, since the length of the brackets is fixed. Since the brackets supported by the concrete structure do not ensure sufficient durability, the safety rail fails to properly act at a necessary time. Furthermore, it is necessary to frequently construct and disassemble the safety rail, because the brackets interfere with waterproofing and/or plastering work.

[4] Moreover, after construction, it is difficult to carry the brackets because of the length thereof, and the expensive materials used incur a burdensome material cost.

[5] In order to overcome these problems, a number of approaches have been proposed.

One example is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No.0400993, entitled "SAFETY RAIL USED IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE," which will be briefly described below.

[6] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating a conventional safety rail, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional protection plate.

[7] First, a safety rail 200 used in a construction site includes insert nut 110, hinge bolts

120, a wire rope 130, a turnbuckle 140 and a protection plate 150 having a wire connector 151.

[8] The safety rail 200 used in a construction site is constructed as follows: concrete walls 101 are provided by curing, the insert nuts 110 are exposed outside, and then the hinge bolts 120, having a loop 121, are fixed to the wall 101 by screwing them into the insert nuts 110.

[9] In this way, the hinge bolts 120 are fixed to four points on opposing sides of the walls 101. Then, the wire rope 130 is inserted through the loops 121 of the hinge bolts 120 to make a basically rectangular structure. The turnbuckle 140 is fastened with both ends of the wire rope 130, and is used to adjust the length of the wire rope 130. After the length of the wire rope 130 is adjusted, the protection plate 150 is attached to the wire rope 130 by the wire connector 151 wrapped around the wire rope 130, so that the protection plate 150 can function to prevent workers from falling down.

[10] However, in the aforementioned safety rail 200 used in a construction site, it is difficult to attach the protection plate 150 to the wire rope 130 since the protection plate 150 and the wire rope 130 are made of different materials. Even if the protection plate 150 is attached to the wire rope 130, this structure rarely affords sufficient durability when necessary, thereby failing to protect workers from falling down.

[11] Alternatively, the wire rope 130 and the protection plate 150 can be made of the same material so that they can be permanently or semi-permanently combined together, for example, via welding. In this case, however, after the use is finished, it is difficult to disassemble the safety rail 200 for later reuse. Furthermore, even if the safety rail 200 is disassembled, the wire rope 130 is difficult to fold due to its properties. Accordingly, it is difficult to carry the disassembled structure to a different floor or a different construction site. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[12] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and therefore an aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a safety net assembly, in which the length of a variable section can be freely adjusted using a length adjusting part of an adjustable fastener unit, so that the safety net assembly can be easily constructed and disassembled and a net can be tightened to ensure high durability. The net can be formed in a lattice structure or a network structure and can be made of an inexpensive polyester material to reduce the manufacturing cost. The safety net assembly can prevent workers from falling down, and can be simply disassembled after use to be carried in a folded state, thereby facilitating reuse. Technical Solution

[13] According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the object, there is provided a safety net assembly including insert nuts fixed to respective walls; insert bolts screwed into respective insert nuts; a fixed fastener unit including a first fixing section and a fixed section, the first fixing section having a first fastening hole formed in a first end portion thereof, into which a first one of the insert bolts is inserted, and a first connection portion formed in a second end portion thereof, the fixed section being connected to the first connection portion of the first fixing section via a first fixing part; an adjustable fastener unit including a second fixing section and a variable section, the second fixing section having a second fastening hole formed in a first end portion thereof, into which the second one of the insert bolts is inserted, and a second connecting portion formed in a second end portion thereof, the variable section including a length adjusting part and being connected to the second connecting portion of the second fixing section via a second fixing part; and a net having an overall lattice structure and being integrally connected with the fixed section and the variable section.

Advantageous Effects

[14] According to the safety net assembly of the present invention as set forth above, the length of the variable section can be freely adjusted using the length adjusting part of the adjustable fastener unit, so that the safety net assembly can be easily constructed and disassembled and the net can be tightened to ensure high durability. The net can be formed in a lattice structure or a network structure and can be made of inexpensive polyester material to lower the manufacturing cost thereof. The safety net assembly can prevent workers from falling down, and can be simply disassembled after use to be carried in a folded state, thereby facilitating reuse. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[16] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating a conventional safety rail;

[17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional protection plate;

[18] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating a safety net assembly according to the present invention;

[19] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view illustrating the safety net assembly according to the present invention;

[20] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the insert nut according to the present invention;

[21] FIG. 6 is views illustrating the fixing part according to the present invention, in a position fixed to a wall;

[22] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view illustrating the fixed fastener unit according to the present invention;

[23] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view illustrating the adjustable fastener unit according to the present invention;

[24] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the length adjusting part according to the present invention, which is implemented with a cam buckle;

[25] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the length adjusting part according to the present invention, which is implemented with a ratchet buckle;

[26] FIG. 11 is front and rear elevation views illustrating the length adjusting part according to the present invention, which is implemented with Velcro members;

[27] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view illustrating the net according to the present invention;

[28] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view illustrating the net according to the present invention, implemented with a network structure;

[29] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view illustrating the net according to the present invention, to which a placard is attached; and

[30] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a net connecting structure according to the present invention, in which a net having a loop is connected to an adjacent net via a fixing part. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[31] The safety net assembly according to the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[32] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating a safety net assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front elevation view illustrating the safety net assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the insert nut according to the present invention, FIG. 6 are views illustrating the fixing part according to the present invention in a position fixed to a wall, FIG. 7 is a front elevation view illustrating the fixed fastener unit according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a front elevation view illustrating the adjustable fastener unit according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the length adjusting part according to the present invention, which is implemented with a cam buckle, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the length adjusting part according to the present invention, implemented with a ratchet buckle, FIG. 11 is front and rear elevation views illustrating the length adjusting part according to the present invention, which is implemented with Velcro members, FIG. 12 is a front elevation view illustrating the net according to the present invention, FIG. 13 is a front elevation view illustrating the net according to the present invention, implemented with a network structure, FIG. 14 is a front elevation view illustrating the net according to the present invention, to which a placard is attached, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a net connecting structure according to the present invention, in which a net having a loop is connected to an adjacent net via a fixing part.

[33] The safety net assembly 50 of the present invention is deployed at a construction site to prevent workers from falling down, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes insert nuts 5, insert bolts 6, fixed fastener units 10, adjustable fastener units 20, and a net 30.

[34] First, as shown in FIG. 5, an individual insert nut 5 includes a stem 2, a nut portion 3 and a head 4, in which the nut portion 3 is stored. When walls 1 are constructed on the floor f using concrete, the insert nuts 5 are embedded in the walls 1. For the purpose of easy construction and safety, the stem 2 slightly protrudes out of the inner wall 1.

[35] Herein, two (2) insert nuts 5 are provided in respective walls 1, and thus a total of four (4) insert nuts 5 is used.

[36] As shown in FIG. 6, each insert bolt 6 is screwed into a respective insert nut 5 to connect the insert nut 5 with a respective fixed fastener unit 10 or a respective adjustable fastener unit 20, which will be described later. The insert bolt 6 is preferably implemented with a strong anchor.

[37] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the fixed fastener unit 10 includes a first fixing section

13 and a fixed section 15. The first fixing section 13 has a first fastening hole 11 in a first end portion thereof (i.e., the left end in the drawing), into which the insert bolt 6, screwed into the insert nut 5, is inserted, and a first connecting portion 12 in a second end portion thereof (i.e., the right end in the drawing). The fixed section 15 is connected to the first connecting portion 12 of the first fixing section 13 by a fixing part 9. The first fastener unit 10 is fixedly attached via the insert bolt 6 to the wall 1, where the insert nut 5 is disposed.

[38] The fixed section 15 is preferably made of a polyester material, having a thickness of

200mm, so as to be tough and be appropriately spaced apart from the wall 1. The first fixing section 13 has a streamlined shape so that the fixed section 15, which is connected to the first connecting portion 12 by the fixing part 9, can move freely after the fixed fastener unit 10 is fixed to the wall 1. Preferably, the first fixing section 13 is stepped so that the first end portion of the first fixing section 13, where the first fastening portion 11 is formed, and the second end portion of the first fixing section 13, where the first connecting portion 12 is formed, are located at different levels.

[39] As shown in FIG. 7, the fixing part 9 is preferably implemented with a carabiner V or a shackle S to facilitate fixing. However, the fixing part 9 can be made in various other structures.

[40] The variable fastener units 20 are fixed to the other one of the walls 1, to which the fixed fastener units 10 are not attached. As shown in FIG. 8, a respective variable fastener unit 20 includes a second fixing section 23 and a variable section 25. The second fixing section 23 includes a second fastening hole 21 in a first end portion thereof, into which the insert bolt 6, screwed into the insert nut 5, is inserted, and a second connecting portion 22 in a second end portion thereof. The variable section 25 is connected with the second connecting portion 22 of the second fixing section 23. In addition, a length adjusting part 26 is formed in the variable section 25.

[41] The variable section 25 is preferably made of a polyester material, having a thickness of 700mm or less, to be tough and be suitably spaced apart from the wall 1. The length adjusting part 26 is preferably formed in a predetermined position, at which it can adjust the length of the variable section 25 to be on the order of 400mm to 500mm.

[42] In addition, the fixing part 9 is preferably implemented with a carabiner V or a shackle S to facilitate fixing. The second fixing section 23 is preferably streamlined like the first fixing section 13.

[43] The length adjusting part 26 is preferably implemented with a cam buckle 26a, as shown in FIG. 9, or a ratchet buckle 26b, as shown in FIG. 10, to facilitate length adjustment. However, the length adjusting part 26 can be realized by various widely used methods.

[44] In addition, the length adjusting part 26 can be realized as shown in FIG. 11. That is, the length adjusting part 26 includes a fixing buckle 26e, which has a push portion 26c and an insert recess 26d, and Velcro members 26f. A protrusion 31 formed at one end of the net 30, which will be described later, engages into the insert recess 26d of the fixing buckle 26e, which is formed at one end of the variable section 25. Using the length adjusting part 26 having this structure, the variable section 25 can be easily adjusted.

[45] As shown in FIG. 12, the net 30 is integrally connected to the fixed sections 15 of the fixed fastener units 10 and to the variable sections 25 of the adjustable fastener units, and has an overall lattice structure to prevent workers from falling down when they are working.

[46] The net 30 is preferably made of a polyester material that has strong and flexible resisting power, and as shown in FIG. 13, can have a network structure rather than the lattice structure.

[47] As shown in FIG. 14, a placard 32 printed with a company name or a warning such as "SAFETY FIRST" can be attached to the net 30, thereby obtaining an advertising or warning effect. The placard 32 can be attached to the net 30 via various methods such as binding of commonly used strings and sewing. More preferably, Velcro members can be used to make it easy to attach and detach the placard 32.

[48] The safety net assembly 50 can be constructed in a wide area such as a balcony. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, loops 33 are formed in edges of the net 30 and the fixing parts 9 are fastened with the loops 33 to connect the net 30 with a second net 30a so that the safety net assembly 50 can be easily used in a large area. The fixing parts 9 can be implemented with a carabiner or a shackle, which can be easily used.

[49] The safety net assembly 50 as set forth above is constructed and used as follows.

[50] The concrete walls 1 are cured in such as fashion that the four insert nuts 5 are inserted into suitable positions and the stems 2 of the insert nuts 5 are slightly exposed.

[51] The insert nuts 5 are preferably embedded in predetermined inner portions of the walls 1 in order to prevent workers from falling down when they are constructing the safety net assembly, as well as to avoid a place where a permanent hand rail (not shown) will be provided.

[52] After the insert nuts 5 are disposed in the concrete walls 1, the first fastening hole 11 of one first fixing section 13 is placed around the stem 2 of the insert nut 5, which is exposed out of an upper part of one wall 1, and the first fixing section 13 is fixed to the wall 1 using the insert bolt 6. After the first fixing section 13 is fixed to the upper part of the wall 1, the other first fixing section 13 is fixed to the lower part of the wall 1. In this way, the first fixing sections 13 are fixed to one wall 1.

[53] After the first fixing sections 13 are fixed to one wall 1, the second fastening hole 21 of one second fixing section 23 is placed around the stem 2 of the insert nut, which is exposed out of the upper part of the other wall 1, and the second fixing section 23 is fixed to the wall 1 using the insert bolt 6. After the second fixing section 23 is fixed to the upper part of the other wall 23, the other second fixing section 23 is fixed to the lower part of the wall 1. In this way, the second fixing sections 23 are fixed to the other wall 1.

[54] After the first fixing sections 13 and the second fixing sections 23 are fixed to both of the walls 1, the fixed section 15 of one fixed fastener unit 10, which is integrally connected to the net 30, is fastened with the first connecting portion 12 of one first fixing section 13 using one fixing part 9. Likewise, the fixed section 15 of the other fixed fastener unit 10 is fastened with the first connecting portion 12 of the other first fixing section. In this way, the first fixing sections 13, disposed in the upper and lower parts of one wall, are fastened with respective fixed sections 15, thereby completing the fastening of the fixed fastener units 10.

[55] After the fixed fastener units 10 are completely fastened, the cam buckle 26a is properly adjusted according to the length of a balcony. Then, the variable section 25 of one adjustable fastener unit 20, integrally connected to the net 30, is fastened with the second connecting portion 22 of one second fixing section 23 using the fixing part 9. Likewise, the variable section 25 of the other adjustable fastener unit 20 is fastened with the second connecting portion 22 of the other second fixing section 23 using the fixing part 9. In this way, the second fixing sections 23, formed in upper and lower parts of the other wall, are fastened with respective variable sections 25. Accordingly, the adjustable fastener units 20 are completely fastened, thereby accomplishing the attachment of the net 30.

[56] After the adjustable fastener units 20 and the net 30 are fixedly attached to the walls

1, it is possible to tighten the net 30 using the cam buckle 26, thereby accomplishing the construction of the safety net assembly 50.

[57] Alternatively, the ratchet buckle 26b or the Velcro members 26f can be used as the length adjustable part 26 in place of the cam buckle 26a. In the case of using the Velcro members 26f , there is required a further procedure of inserting the protrusions 31 of the net 30 into the insert recesses 26d of the fixing buckles 26e.

[58] In the case of deployment over a wide area, such as a balcony, the fixing parts 9 are fastened to the loops 33 in the edges of the net 30 to connect the net 30 with the net 30a. Thus, the safety net assembly can be easily constructed even over a wide area. It is possible to attach the placard 32 to the net 30 in order to obtain an advertising or warning effect. The placard 32 can easily attached and detached using Velcro members.

[59] Upon disassembly, the safety net assembly 50 can be easily disassembled by removing the insert bolts 6, which act to fix the fixed fastener units 10 and the adjustable fastener units 20 to the walls 1. Since the fixed sections 15, the variable sections 25 and the net 30 are made of a foldable material, it is easy to carry and/or reuse the safety net assembly.

[60] In the case of reassembling the adjustable fastener units 20 and the net 30 using

Velcro members, it is possible to easily remove foreign materials such as sand from the Velcro members using, for example, a vacuum cleaner (not shown). In this way, the Velcro members can maintain their fastening power, thereby exerting excellent fastening power even if they are reused many times. Industrial Applicability

[61] According to the safety net assembly of the present invention as set forth above, the length of the variable section can be freely adjusted using the length adjusting part of the adjustable fastener unit, so that the safety net assembly can be easily constructed and disassembled and the net can be tightened to ensure high durability. The net can be formed in a lattice structure or a network structure and can be made of inexpensive polyester material to lower the manufacturing cost thereof. The safety net assembly can prevent workers from falling down, and can be simply disassembled after use to be carried in a folded state, thereby facilitating reuse.

Claims

[1] A safety net assembly comprising: insert nuts fixed to respective walls; insert bolts screwed into respective insert nuts; a fixed fastener unit including a first fixing section and a fixed section, the first fixing section having a first fastening hole formed in a first end portion thereof, into which a first one of the insert bolts is inserted, and a first connection portion formed in a second end portion thereof, the fixed section being connected to the first connection portion of the first fixing section via a first fixing part; an adjustable fastener unit including a second fixing section and a variable section, the second fixing section having a second fastening hole formed in a first end portion thereof, into which the second one of the insert bolts is inserted, and a second connecting portion formed in a second end portion thereof, the variable section including a length adjusting part and being connected to the second connecting portion of the second fixing section via a second fixing part; and a net having an overall lattice structure and integrally connected with the fixed section and the variable section.

[2] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the fixed section, the variable section and the net is made of polyester.

[3] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the fixing parts comprises a carabiner.

[4] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the fixing parts comprises a shackle.

[5] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length adjusting part comprises a cam buckle.

[6] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length adjusting part comprises a ratchet buckle.

[7] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length adjusting part includes a fixing buckle and Velcro members, the fixing buckle having a push portion and an insert recess, wherein a protrusion formed on an end of the net engages into the insert recess of the fixing buckle.

[8] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein the net comprises a network structure.

[9] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a placard attached to the net.

[10] The safety net assembly according to claim 9, wherein the placard is attached to the net via Velcro members. [11] The safety net assembly according to claim 1, wherein the net has a loop in an edge thereof, wherein a third fixing part is fastened with the loop to connect the net with an adjacent net.