WO2010142989A2

WO2010142989A2 - Elevated safety barrier unit

Info

Publication number: WO2010142989A2
Application number: PCT/GB2010/050968
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Alexander Black; Robert David Black
Original assignee: John Alexander Black; Robert David Black
Priority date: 2009-06-10
Filing date: 2010-06-09
Publication date: 2010-12-16
Also published as: WO2010142989A3; GB0909968D0; GB2470932B; GB2470932A

Abstract

A safety unit comprising: a support structure of two or more vertical members (12, 13, 14); a barrier (15) extending between, and demountably supported by said vertical members; a foot plate (17) for each vertical member; at least one engagement means whereby the foot plate can resist sliding relative to the supporting surface or an extension thereof; a traveller (23) slidably mounted on the vertical member, the traveller being adapted for displacement along a longitudinal axis of the vertical member and for rotation about the vertical axis; the traveller including a clamp (24) whereby the traveller can be secured against displacement along the longitudinal axis and rotation about the vertical axis; at least one prop (25) having a first and a second end; the first end being pivotably attached to the traveller; the second end being adapted for location on the supporting surface; and a link (27) having a first and a second end; the first end of the link being pivotably attached to the prop; the second end of the prop being pivotably attached to a slider (28) on the vertical member.

Description

ELEVATED SAFETY BARRIER UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an elevated safety barrier unit. It is particularly concerned with a safety unit for use in the construction industry.

BACKGROUND ART

During the construction of a wall made of blocks, bricks or other modular elements set, for example, in mortar the partially completed wall is particularly liable to be damaged by something or somebody falling across the top of the partially completed wall. Particular examples of this are: a longitudinal member, such as a plank or pole, falling across the top of the wall; or a person who, while standing close to the top of the wall, inadvertently falls across it. In either case the construction element involved, with the mortar unset, is readily displaced out of the wall or at least pushed out of alignment with neighbouring elements. Apart from any safety hazard such damage can be a serious setback to achieving a target of completion quite.

Heretofore attempts to provide some form of barrier which would prevent an object falling so to cause lateral displacement of a section of wall have resulted in access to the wall top on which work is required being impeded and so the ability of a builder to get on with his work. In the event the builder is working on piece rates he will be reluctant to make use of the barrier if he can avoid doing so.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an elevated safety barrier unit comprising: a support structure of two or more vertical members; a barrier extending between, and demountably supported by way of, at least two of the vertical members; a foot plate for each vertical member by means of which the vertical member is mounted on a supporting surface; at least one engagement means whereby the foot plate can resist sliding relative to the supporting surface or an extension relating thereto; a traveller slidably mounted on the vertical member, the traveller being adapted for displacement along a longitudinal axis of the vertical member and for rotation about the vertical axis; the traveller including a clamp whereby the traveller can be secured against displacement along the longitudinal axis and rotation about the vertical axis; at least one prop having a first and a second end; the first end being pivotably attached to the traveller; the second end being adapted for location on and engagement with the supporting surface; and a link having a first and a second end; the first end of the link being pivotably attached to the prop intermediate the first and second ends of the prop; the second end of the prop being pivotably attached to a slider on the vertical member at a point intermediate the traveller and the foot plate; the slider being adapted to rotate about the vertical axis of the vertical member.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention each vertical member is of telescopic configuration to provide for the length of the vertical member to be varied between a minimum and a maximum length.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the, or each, prop is extended and fixed in place by means of the clamp in order to maintain the vertical member in a working configuration and second operating position in which the, or each, prop is retracted to lie adjacent the vertical member provide a configuration for the safety unit which is of minimal radial extent relative to the vertical member. According to a third preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof the barrier has an upper rigid boundary and the barrier is demountably located on the or each vertical member so that the upper rigid boundary of the barrier member extends above and beyond the top of each support on member which the barrier is mounted.

According to a fourth preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof the barrier comprises or includes a panel of open work construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing of an elevated safety barrier unit according to the present in invention, of which:

Figure 1 is a general frontal view of a unit shown in a working configuration;

Figure 2 is a from left hand side of unit of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a component of the unit shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a working configuration;

Figure 4 is a detail of a lower part of the component shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail of an upper part of the component shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 6 shows the component of Figure 3 in a retracted configuration; and

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The drawings variously show an elevated safety barrier unit 11 including a support structure of three vertical members 12, 13, 14 with a barrier member 15 extending between, and supported on, hooks incorporated in the vertical members 12, 13, 14. As the vertical members 12, 13, 14 are similar in form and function only member 13 will now be described in more detail. Member 13 comprises a tube 16 mounted on a foot plate 17. The foot plate 17 (Figure 5) incorporates two protruding captive spikes 18, 19 by means of which the foot plate 17, and so the member 13, can engage with the lower part of wall W to prevent lateral sliding of the foot plate 17 over ground G.

The barrier member 15 is demountably secured to vertical member 13 by one or more of hooks 20, 21, 22 integral with tube 16.

A traveller 23 slidably mounted on the vertical member 13, the traveller 23 being adapted for displacement along longitudinal axis V of the vertical member 13 and for rotation about the vertical axis V. The traveller 23 includes a clamp 24 whereby the traveller 23 can be secured against displacement along the axis V and rotation about the axis V.

Prop 25 has a first end 25A and a second end 25B. The first end 25A is pivotably attached to the traveller 23. The second end 25B is equipped with foot 26 with a soft underside pad for frictional engagement with the ground G.

Link 27 has a first end 27A and a second end 27B. First end 27A is pivotably attached to the prop 25 at a point intermediate the first end 25A and second end 25B of the prop 25. The second end 27B of the link 27 is pivotably attached to a slider 28 on the vertical member 13 at a point intermediate the traveller 23 and the foot plate 17. The slider 28 is adapted for rotation about the vertical axis V of the vertical member 13.

With the member 13 vertical, traveller 23 clamped to the tube 16 and foot 26 seated on the ground G vertical displacement of the slider 28, or its rotation, about axis V is prevented by virtue of the rigidified linkage then existing including prop 25 and link 27. In the event that once the unit 11 is erected and the assembly 15 is pushed outwardly then to a greater or lesser extent the upper sections of vertical members 12, 13, 14 tend to rotate about their respective tightened clamps which act as a fulcrum. Each of the lower sections of vertical members 12, 13, 14 are configured as a triangulated structure made up of the lower section, the two props and their respective struts resisting outward motion of the clamp. It is envisaged that any pivoting outwards of the upper part of the vertical members will, if anything, tend to drive the lower sections inwards. That is to say towards the wall.

Prop 29 and link 30 are similar in form and function to prop 25 and link 27 respectively and are not detailed further.

With traveller 23 clamped to the vertical member 13 as shown in Figures 1 to 3 the props 25, 29 provide a stable support for the vertical member 13 and so for the barrier member 15. The other vertical members 12, 14 are equipped and function in an identical manner to that described in relation to member 13. All three members 12, 13, 14 interact to provide a stable support for the barrier 15.

In Figures 1 to 3 the safety unit 11 is shown in a working configuration with foot plates 26, 30 and 31 seated on the ground G. To achieve this working configuration for vertical member 13 the prop 25 and link 27 are opened to provide for stable positioning of the foot 26 and the traveller 23 is clamped in place by clamp 24. The foot plate 17 is placed against the foot of wall W and spikes 18, 19 of foot plate 26 driven into the wall W. The remaining members 12, 14 are set up in the same way and their spikes corresponding to 18, 19 in footplate 17 driven into wall W. The barrier 15 is then raised and mounted on one or more of kooks 20, 21, 22 on member 13 and corresponding hook or hooks on members 12 and 14.

In the event a bricklayer or other operative working on the opposite side of the wall to that against which the unit 11 is located, or by another article, such as a scaffold pole, falling onto the wall. In either case the barrier serves to prevent the falling individual or article striking the top of the wall which, until mortar in which the uppermost blocks are mounted has gone off, is capable of being readily displaced by impact loads on their exposed upper sides.

With the present unit 11 in place a falling operative or article does not fall against the wall to any significant extent but against the top rail of the barrier 15 which resists further horizontal movement by the body of the operative or the article. The operative can reposition themselves without damage to themselves or the top of the wall W.

Figure 6 shows the vertical member 13 in its storage/ transport configuration with the clamp 24 released and the props 25, 29 pivoted to lie against the member 13. The foot plate 17 is large enough to support the vertical member 13 on a horizontal surface in a reasonably stable configuration.

The barrier 15 being demountably attached to the vertical members 12, 13, 14 is readily raised to seat on a higher hook on each vertical member so as to project the required amount above the top of wall W as it is built up.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention provides a safety unit which is readily used for wall building in the construction industry which is one noted for having a poor accident record. A particular advantage of the present invention is in providing a safety device which does not impede operatives required to use it and which is readily assembled and positioned in a short space of time. This makes the unit attractive to an operative and thus make it more likely to be used to the advantage of the operative and those dependent on them and to people responsible for site safety.

Claims

1 An elevated safety barrier unit comprising: a support structure of two or more vertical members; a barrier extending between, and demountably supported by way of, at least two of the vertical members; a foot plate for each vertical member by means of which the vertical member is mounted on a supporting surface; at least one engagement means whereby the foot plate can resist sliding relative to the supporting surface or an extension thereof; a traveller slidably mounted on the vertical member, the traveller being adapted for displacement along a longitudinal axis of the vertical member and for rotation about the vertical axis; the traveller including a clamp whereby the traveller can be secured against displacement along the longitudinal axis and rotation about the vertical axis; at least one prop having a first and a second end; the first end being pivotably attached to the traveller; the second end being adapted for location on and engagement with the supporting surface; and a link having a first and a second end; the first end of the link being pivotably attached to the prop intermediate the first and second ends of the prop; the second end of the prop being pivotably attached to a slider on the vertical member at a point intermediate the traveller and the foot plate; the slider being adapted to rotate about the vertical axis of the vertical member.

2 A safety unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each vertical member is of telescopic configuration to provide for the length of the vertical member to be varied between a minimum and a maximum length. A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim having a first operating position wherein the, or each, prop is extended and fixed in place by means of the clamp in order to maintain the vertical member in a working configuration and second operating position where the, or each, prop is retracted to lie adjacent the vertical member provide a configuration for the safety unit which is of minimal radial extent.

A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barrier has an upper rigid boundary and the barrier is located on the or each vertical member so that the upper rigid boundary of the barrier member extends above and beyond the top of each vertical support on which the barrier is mounted.

A safety unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barrier comprises or includes a panel of open work construction.

A safety unit as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.